Joan Laporta has denied this morning to be thinking of bringing Johan Cruyff back to coach the squad. He said “this option hasn’t been considered by the management team. Frank Rijkaard is signed until 2009 and I’d personally like him to coach the team until 2010″. He added “Rijkaard has been 5 years coaching the squad, he has got our full support and will stay in the club for as long as he wants”, ” I consider him a very prepared person, from a professional and personal point of views, and I’m not willing to replace a manager that adds value to the image of the club”. He also revealed that Cruyff are very good friends and meet up often, sometimes joined by Txiki Beguiristain.
Laporta also wanted to put the pressure upon Real Madrid, expecting a drop in their performance, and advising his players to be ready when that happens, in order to close the 9 points gap that the White Team currently enjoys.