Laporta keeps faith with coach

Rijkaard: Support from Laporta

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has stressed he is not looking to replace coach Frank Rijkaard with Jose Mourinho.

Reports in Spain have claimed that Barcelona are lining up Mourinho to take over at Camp Nou following an inconsistent season.

Former Barca boss Johan Cruyff has already moved to deny rumours that he has held talks with Mourinho with regard to replacing Rijkaard.

The Dutchman has been in charge since 2003 and Laporta insists the club are still happy with Rijkaard's work.

Very happy

"We are very happy with Rijkaard and I don't plan to bring in another coach," Laporta told Spanish television.

"We know that everybody wants to come to Barcelona, but also we know that we cannot have more than one coach or more than 23 players.

"Mourinho is a great professional, a great coach, but I insist that we are very happy with Rijkaard."

Laporta also reiterated his stance that Ronaldinho will not be sold, with the Brazilian ace repeatedly linked with moves to Chelsea and Milan.

Obligation

"As I have said many times, we don't want to sell Ronaldinho," Laporta said.

"He has a contract, and he has said he is happy at this city and this club.

"Barcelona's obligation is to try to help him recover so that he returns to be how he was before. We are very grateful to him for what he has done for us."