Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard said he accepted criticism from club chairman Juan Laporta over last season's failure to win any silverware last season. Laporta told Spanish media earlier this month that Rijkaard and his players are responsible for losing the domestic and Champions League earlier this year. Rijkaard told Catalan paper El Mundo Deportivo on Monday: "I have always said that when things go wrong, I am the first person to assume responsibility." "Laporta has the right to ask the players and the coaching staff to work harder so that we can gain more trophies." The Dutch manager said that Laporta's statement to the media won't affect their personal or professional relationship. Barca collected four points from their first two games in La Liga this season. They were placed in Group E of the Champions League, playing Lyon, Stuttgart, and Glasgow Rangers.
