A few days ago, FC Barcelona Blog reported on something that has become an open secret ever since: Barcelona officially announced that Johan Neeskens is set to return to Barcelona after a 27 year absence, to replace Henk Ten Cate as Frank Rijkaards assistant coach.
Neeskens, currently Guus Hiddink's assistant coach of Australia in the World Cup in Germany has rejected offer to succeed Hiddink after the world cup as head coach and has chosen Barca over Australia. The official announcement is likely to take place next Tuesday or Wednesday, just after Australia's World Cup match against Japan on Monday.


Johan Neeskens, a former Barca star in the 70´s, is highly rated as a coach and should be given a warm welcome by his old and new club FC Barcelona and the Barca fans after the success he enjoyed there as a player. Neeskens helped Barca to win the Copa del Rey in 1978 and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1979 against Fortunas Düsseldorf.



Neeskens played for Barcelona from 1974 to 1979, and was nostalgic about his return, while also admitting that he had never quite let Barcelona out of his heart. Neeskens already has coaching experience with Frank Rijkaard, haivng worked alongside Rijkaard as his assistant with the Dutch national team. Neeskens told Barcelona based SPORT daily football newspaper:

"I'll be returning after 27 years. I have always wanted to return to Barcelona. But I have also been with Barcelona during all those years. I know how Frank likes to play and train. We have worked together for the Dutch national team, and we understand each other very well. The simple truth is, that I am very happy that Barcelona thought of me after the departure of Ten Cate."

Neeskens signed a 3-year deal and will join up with the squad for the pre-season towards the end of July.