For Barca coach Frank Rijkaard's it is the fourth season in charge at FC Barcelona and this means, he is the longest standing manager of any of the clubs in the Spanish First Division. Over the last 3 years Frank Rijkaard, has created a strong team and this season he is aiming to make it three league titles in a row in 2006-07 and Barca will try to defend the Champions League title.


this summer has seen plenty changes in management in the Spanish league. Nearly half the teams in the Spanish Premiera Liga are starting the season with a new coach in charge: Real Madrid, Osasuna, Atlético Madrid, Zaragoza, Athletic Club, Betis, Espanyol, Racing and Levante.


The only La Liga coaches that come close to Frank Rijkaards four years are Fernando Vázquez (Celta Vigo), Manuel Pellegrini (Villarreal) and Luis César Sampedro (Nastic Tarragona, but 2 years in Segunda A), who are in their third season with their clubs.


Although Frank Rijkaard is La Primera Liga longest standing coach, the Dutchmen is anything but the oldest manager in the Spanish Premier League. Rijkaard forms part of a small group of ex-players that have only recently turned 40 and that coaching a club in the top flight in Spain: Rijkaard (43), Bakero (43), Valverde (42), Ziganda (40) and Quique Sánchez Flores (41).

Considerably older coaches are for example Real Madrid´s Capello (60) and Irureta (58).