Rijkaard to leave Barcelona

May 8, 2008 - 6:29 PM BARCELONA, Spain (Ticker) -- Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will be replaced by Josep Guardiola at the end of the season, the Spanish soccer powerhouse announced Thursday.

The decision, announced by club president Joan Laporta after a board meeting Thursday, comes just a day after Barcelona suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss at the hands of bitter rivals and newly-crowned Primera Liga champions Real Madrid.

Guardiola, a former Barcelona player, is the current coach of the reserves and will officially replace Rijkaard on June 30.

Barcelona confirmed the decision in a statement on its web site.

"Following the meeting of the club's board, president Joan Laporta appeared before the media to announce the change of FC Barcelona's first team coach at the end of the season," the statement said. "Frank Rijkaard will cease to be the coach of Barca on June 30 and Josep Guardiola will be his substitute."

Barcelona, whose loss to Madrid means they cannot finish in the top two of La Liga, have two games remaining this season, at home to Real Mallorca this weekend and then at Real Murcia.