Barcelona is a football club that has a rich history and is widely regarded as one of the best clubs in the world. The club has had many successful coaches throughout its history, but one coach, in particular, stands out from the rest.
In 2007, Barcelona was led by an iconic coach who played a crucial role in shaping the club’s future. Let’s dive deeper into who was Barcelona Coach in 2007.
The Appointment of Frank Rijkaard
In 2003, Barcelona appointed Frank Rijkaard as their new head coach after a string of disappointing seasons. Rijkaard was a former Dutch international player who had previously coached Sparta Rotterdam and the Netherlands national team. His appointment was met with skepticism from some fans who were unsure if he was capable of turning around the fortunes of such a big club.
However, Rijkaard quickly proved his doubters wrong. In his first season in charge, he led Barcelona to second place in La Liga and won the Spanish Super Cup. But it was his second season at the helm when he truly made his mark.
Champions League Glory
In 2005-06, Rijkaard led Barcelona to their second-ever Champions League trophy. The team included stars such as Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o and Deco and played an attacking style of football that wowed fans across Europe.
The final against Arsenal will always be remembered for two moments: Lehmann’s red card for Arsenal and Belletti’s winning goal for Barcelona. It was a historic night for the club and cemented Rijkaard’s place in Barca folklore.
Slipping Standards
However, after that historic win, Barcelona’s form started to dip. They finished second in La Liga for two consecutive seasons and were knocked out early from the Champions League both times. The team was still full of quality players, but there seemed to be a lack of motivation and unity within the squad.
The End of an Era
In 2007, Barcelona decided to part ways with Rijkaard after five successful seasons. He left the club having won two La Liga titles, one Champions League trophy, and two Spanish Super Cups.
Rijkaard’s tenure at Barcelona will always be remembered for his attacking style of play and the success he brought to the club. He helped to lay the foundations for the future success that would come under Pep Guardiola and others.
In conclusion, Frank Rijkaard was the coach of Barcelona in 2007. He had already established himself as a legend at the club after leading them to their second Champions League trophy in 2006.
However, it was clear that his time at Barca was coming to an end as the team’s form started to dip. Regardless, Rijkaard’s contribution to Barcelona’s history cannot be overstated.