[Fillipo Simone]

24/08/2008 12:24

Rijkaard Offered Milan And Ajax Roles For Next Year

Frank Rijkaard is being lined up to take over at AC Milan at the end of the new season after turning down all offers to return to coaching this summer.

The Dutchman left Barcelona at the end of last term and was invited to take over at several clubs including Chelsea, who were keen to install him before turning to Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Instead, Rijkaard chose to take a year off from the game and Sport now report that he has been told that the Milan job is his for the taking in ten months time.

Spartak Moscow made an ambitious attempt to persuade him to try Russian football and laid out a €7m-per-season contract, but even that did not tempt the laid back trainer.

Rijkaard is keen to spend a few months with his family as he moves between Barcelona and a mansion that he owns in Monaco before he decides whether to return to coaching.

Ajax have also made it known that should the 45-year-old fancy a return to his home town of Amsterdam then the job of sporting director would be his without any problems.

Whether Rijkaard would want a move upstairs is doubtful and it appears that he is most tempted by returning to Milan to take over from Carlo Ancelotti next summer.

That move could see him link up again with Ronaldhino, the player that symbolised both the coach's best and worst years in charge of Barcelona.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

It really depends..if Carlo fails, I think Rijkaard will be the first option for new coach. But if Carlo brings the scudetto home,..I don't see him going.

This post has been edited by Fillipo Simone: Aug 24 2008, 12:18 PM