Spanish Press: Rijkaard Has Until Real Madrid Game To Save Job
Spanish sports daily Marca contends that the upcoming Liga run - including games against Espanyol, Valencia and finally Real Madrid - will decide once and for all whether or not Frank Rijkaard will remain at Camp Nou...
zoom - galleria Spanish sports daily Marca believes that the next five Liga fixtures will prove vital in Frank Rijkaard's quest to turn his Barcelona fortunes around.
Wayward away form has ruined the blaugrana's fine record at the Nou Camp, with the Catalan side now sitting four points off top spot.
That's far from being an insurmountable total, of course, but the club hierarchy is said to be growing uneasy at the difficulties being shown away from home.
As such, the next five games - which include difficult away trips to Espanyol and Valencia - could prove crucial.
Home encounters against Recreativo and Deportivo should prove routine enough, but the fifth of the bunch - at home to Real Madrid - could potentially be the deciding factor if Marca is to be believed.
Apparently, some directors at the Camp Nou have already lost confidence in the Dutch coach, with even some of his loyalists looking increasingly concerned.
But he holds the support of president Joan Laporta - for now.
The "decisive" fixture list - not including Champions League games - is as follows:
25/11 Barcelona - Recreativo
02/12 Espanyol - Barcelona
09/12 Barcelona - Deportivo
16/12 Valencia - Barcelona
23/12 Barcelona - Real Madrid
