Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard insists he intends to see out his contract with the club, despite coming under increased criticism for the club’s indifferent form.
The Dutchman has been under pressure this season for the side’s inconsistent away form and his relaxed style.
“I am happy here. I am not thinking of anything else. If they don’t get rid of me I’m staying,” Rijkaard told Catalunya Radio.
Barca are second in the standings, four points behind the champions and arch-rivals Real Madrid.
“It is the moment we need to convince our fans. (If the results don’t go our way) then everyone will talk about me a lot but I accept that because it is part of the job. It’s usual for them to pile the blame on me,” he added.
The 45-year-old went on to praise the much-maligned Ronaldinho for his improved performances in the side’s last two matches.
“Ronnie has reacted (to his critics). It’s necessary to congratulate him but now is not the moment for him to stop. He has to continue,” Rijkaard said.
“I believe he can return to be the player he was but we have to be aware that players change as they grow older. However, he still has the quality, strength, potency and speed to play with the same explosive style he had before.
“But he has to continue working to be able to maintain the same rhythm for the full 90 minutes.”
