BARCELONA, Spain(AP) FC Barcelona will replace coach Frank Rijkaard with former team captain Pep Guardiola at the end of the season.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Rijkaard, who has been in charge for five years and was under contract until 2009, "had made history with Barcelona." Rijkaard's coaching team, which includes Johan Neeskens, will also leave.
Laporta said he had informed Rijkaard of his dismissal on Thursday and that the coach had reacted "elegantly and also with great feeling."