FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.10.2007 14:07

Two veterans, face to face

Berta Brau

The eighth round of league matches sees the two longest serving managers in the Spanish top flight go head to head, Frank Rijkaard and Manuel Pellegrini.

Frank Rijkaard and Manuel Pellegrini have managed their respective sides longer than any other coaches in La Liga. The Dutchman is in his fifth season at Barça, while Chilean manager Pellegrini is serving his fourth term in Castellón.

Rijkaard, five seasons at Barça

There was much expectation when Rijkaard arrived at Barça in 2003, and he has managed to live up to those hopes. In his time at the club, he has collected two Spanish championships (2004/2005 and 2005/2006) and one Champions League.

Four seasons for Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini signed for Villarreal a year after Rijkaard took charge of Barça, in 2004, and led the team to its highest ever league finish, third and a semi final appearance in the Champions league, where they narrowly lost out on a final place to Henry’s Arsenal. Since then, Villarreal have been a regular feature of the top half of the Spanish table.

Duel of veterans in Madrigal

With so many years behind them, these two managers are now familiar faces as they come together once again at El Madrigal on Saturday evening. Rijkaard is on top as it stands, having won three of the meetings between the sides, with there also having been one draw and two defeats.