Coach Frank Rijkaard is about to stand down as Barca coach according to a confidante of the Dutchman and it brings to an end five years at the Camp Nou where he brought the second Champions League success.

After two years without a tropy everyone has been expecting him to go but it will be a sad end to Rijkaard who brought winning ways back after the dark days of Gaspart's presidency. No one will forget the way Barca played in its prime with Ronaldinho leading the way, alongside Deco and Eto'o.

Insiders claim the failure to continue Barca's good run has been down to politics in the dressing room and infighting between egos. It looks as though Rijkaard has not been hard enough on these players with Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Deco at the centre, and this has led to a lack of commitment. Perhaps Barca's failure was to see the loss of Ten Cate two years ago, a tough coach who has now helped Chelsea to the Champions League final as Avram Grant's assistant.