Barcelona have denied reports coach Frank Rijkaard will leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season.

A local television station has claimed former Barca midfielder Josep Guardiola, the current coach of the club's B side, would replace Rijkaard in the summer.

But an official statement on the club's official website read: "FC Barcelona emphatically denies that a decision has been taken to replace the football coach, Frank Rijkaard, for next season.

"The Dutch manager has a contract until the 2009 season and the board of directors has complete confidence in him."

Speculation has been rife all season that this would be Rijkaard's final year in charge of the Catalan giants.

There have been several reports of dressing room unrest while star player Ronaldinho has only just returned to training after complaining of an injury which medical examinations failed to detect.

Barca have fared little better on the pitch.

They started the season hoping to win back the Primera Liga crown they relinquished to arch rivals Real Madrid in 2006-2007 but have struggled for consistency.

The 2006 European champions are currently third in the Spanish top flight, seven points behind Madrid and one adrift of second-placed Villarreal.

Rijkaard's saving grace has been the club's form in the Champions League, Tuesday night's 1-0 win over Schalke in Gelsenkirchen edging them closer to the semi-finals ahead of the second leg next Wednesday.

The 45-year-old joined Barca in 2003 and overcame a shaky start to guide the club to the Spanish title in 2005 and 2006.

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Michael Laudrup have also been linked with the Barca job in recent weeks.

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