[Ian Sea]

Rijkaard did well at Barcelona and was the right manager at the right time. He could carry it on though, and that was his downfall. Once he had his team that won the league and European Cup, that was it, no more improvement and no more trophies.

Sometimes it's best for both parties that a manager leaves; Rijkaard will leave as a success who is loved by Barca fans before his reputation is ruined too much and Barca still have the basis of a very good team that they will hope can be improved on by the next manager.

It's definitely the right time for him to go, the old phrase 'he'd taken them as far as he could' is perfect for this situation.