Laporta said: "We have always had great confidence in Rijkaard. He will be with us for as long as he wants. He is the man the club wants and who has the vision we want. He deserves every confidence.

"He is using the resources we have supplied him very well."

However, the Barca president also admitted he did speak with Rijkaard before Christmas about the team's form slide at the time.

"We analyzed the situation and Frank told me that he had total confidence, and much more. Ultimately the situation was reversed. He is calm and forceful."