BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will accept whatever decision the club makes about his future.
"I haven't thought about my future," Rijkaard said Tuesday. "I've always said, generally, that contracts must be respected, but to continue on you need both sides to be in agreement.
"When decisions need to be made, in whatever manner, it will be with respect and honesty and will be a decision that is best for the club."
Reserve-team coach and former Barcelona player Josep Guardiola has been mentioned as likely to replace the Dutchman at the end of this season. Rijkaard has a contract that runs through next season.
Spanish media reported that president Joan Laporta and technical secretary Txiki Begiristain met with other Barcelona officials Monday to recommend that the 37-year-old Guardiola succeed Rijkaard, whose future has been subject to intense scrutiny following a second straight season without a trophy.
Barcelona is third in the Spanish league and trails defending champion Real Madrid by 14 points with three rounds remaining.
Former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho and current Getafe boss Michael Laudrup have also been mentioned as potential replacements, but Rijkaard says he isn't preoccupied by all the speculation.
"Before all else, I want what's best for the club," Rijkaard said. "It's definitely a delicate moment, but that can happen in sport and you have to be wary of not looking to change things just because of what is being said from outside."
Rijkaard guided the Catalans to consecutive Spanish league titles in 2005 and '06 to snap a six-year drought. He also won the 2006 Champions League when Barcelona beat Arsenal 2-1 in the final.
Guardiola, a former Barcelona captain, won six league titles in 11 seasons at the Camp Nou. He was a member of coach Johann Cruyff's "Dream Team" that won the 1992 European Cup, Barcelona's first.
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