Rijkaard appointed at Galatasaray

(GETTY IMAGES)

Frank Rijkaard will take over as Galatasaray coach replacing Bulent Korkmaz as technical director, the Turkish club said today.

The club's web site which gave the news did not provide further details but broadcaster CNN Turk said Rijkaard would arrive in Istanbul at 1430 GMT.

Former Galatasaray captain Korkmaz had been appointed coach in February in place of Michael Skibbe, who was sacked after a poor run of results. Korkmaz had a contract until the end of the 2009-2010 season.

Galatasaray, Uefa Cup champions in 2000 and 17 times domestic champions, had a disappointing season and finished fifth in the league, ten points adrift of champions Besiktas.

Rijkaard had previously been mentioned as a possible candidate to take over at various clubs including AC Milan and CSKA Moscow.

The former Dutch great took charge of Barcelona in 2003 and led them to back-to-back league titles and victory in the Champions League in 2006. He left the club in May last year.