Madrid: Barcelona president Joan Laporta has given his backing to coach Frank Rijkaard and denied reports that the club plans to recruit Jose Mourinho as his replacement.
"We have full confidence in Frank and believe that he is the ideal coach for Barcelona," Laporta was quoted as telling Spanish state television on Wednesday.
"He has the perfect temperament for a Barcelona coach and will be with us as long as he wants. Mourinho is a great professional and we know that everyone wants to come to Barcelona, but we can't have two coaches at the same time."
Rijkaard steered Barca to two league titles and victory in the Champions League in his first three seasons at the Nou Camp.
But last season his team relinquished the Spanish title to Real Madrid and they currently trail their arch-rivals by six points in the standings.
Asked about the speculation over the future of the out-of-form Ronaldinho, Laporta said Barcelona had no intention of letting the 27-year-old Brazilian leave the club.
"We don't want to sell him. He's got a contract and he will stay at Barca as long as he wants. I know that he is happy in the city and at the club. The club is determined to help him recover. We are grateful for everything he has done for us."
Spanish sports daily Marca reported on Wednesday that Barca had begun their preparations for next season by closing a deal worth between 14-18 million euros ($20.51-$26.36 million) to sign Racing Santander defender Ezequiel Garay.
The club denied the report, although they did admit the highly-rated Argentine centre-back was amongst the list of possible new recruits for next season.
"We have not signed the player," a Barcelona spokesman said.
"We announce signings only when everything is closed. "He may, however, be amongst the list of players that the club's technical staff are following with a view to their incorporation next season."
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