Soccer-Rijkaard, Ronaldinho, Eto`o to stay at Barca says Laporta (19.06.2007)
MADRID, June 19 (Reuters) - Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Tuesday coach Frank Rijkaard would continue at the club next season, after just missing out on their third consecutive Primera Liga title.
But he admitted mistakes had been made at all levels throughout the club, at the end of an ultimately disappointing year.
"We have absolute confidence in our technical staff and coach. Frank Rijkaard will be the Barcelona coach next season, he is very motivated, and looking forward to the new campaign," Laporta told a news conference.
Laporta reserved his criticisms for some members of the squad who he felt had not pulled their weight on or off the field. He warned there would be changes.
"There have been some internal
disciplinary problems which we will come down hard on. I`m not going to name names. We`ll wash our dirty linen in house," he said.
"To strengthen the side, we are seeking a left back, a centre-back, maybe two midfielders and one or two forwards."
As to the future of leading players such as Cameroon striker Samuel Eto`o and Brazilian forward Ronaldinho, Laporta quashed any rumours that the club were thinking of selling them.
"Neither are for sale. We want Ronaldinho and Eto`o to continue at the club, Rijkaard thinks the same, and the players have told me they also want to stay," Laporta added.
Barca finished second in the Primera Liga on Sunday, level on points with arch-rivals Real Madrid but below them due to their inferior head-to-head record.
