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Rijkaard era comes to an end at Barcelona

May 10, 2008

Lauded for his commitment to open, attacking football, his skilful management of high-profile players, unflappable temperament and self-effacing manner, he was seen as the perfect coach for a club that had been in crisis since 1999.

Complete Coverage: UEFA Champions League

But the team's failure to maintain high standards, their surrender of the league to arch-rivals Real Madrid last season and rifts in the dressing room have meant that the very characteristics that were once so admired in Rijkaard had come to be seen as flaws.

Accused of being passive, tactically naive and too soft on the players, it was his inability to halt the club's slide in form that brought a premature end to his time at Barcelona.

Image: Rijkaard with his team after they won the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League.

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