Barcelona's coach Frank Rijkaard watches during their First Division Soccer League match against Mallorca at Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona May 11, 2008. (Xinhua/Agencies File Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, May 13 -- Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard gave a rare display of emotion after his side's 2-3 loss to Real Mallorca on Sunday, admitting he was upset that his last match at the Nou Camp had ended in defeat.

    Barca surrendered a two-goal lead and ended up slumping to its third defeat in four league games when Primera Liga leading scorer Dani Guiza struck his 26th goal of the season for the islanders four minutes into stoppage time. The defeat, which followed Barca's 1-4 thrashing by archrival Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, sparked angry protests from the home fans who jeered the players and called for club president Joan Laporta's to resign.

    The crowd also jeered Samuel Eto'o, Deco and Thierry Henry. The match was attended by just less than 40,000 spectators, the worst attendance at Camp Nou for a league match since Laporta took charge in 2003.

    "It was a very sad night," the Dutchman told reporters. "We expected this sort of reaction, but as coach I'm sad that we had to play in an atmosphere like that. I didn't expect the end of the season to be so difficult. It hasn't been easy and we haven't been able to change the dynamics of the team. It is very difficult to play when things are like that."

    The defeat came just three days after the club announced that Rijkaard would not complete the remaining year on his contract and would be replaced by former captain Pep Guardiola as coach at the end of the season.

    Rijkaard, who has been largely exempt from the recent criticism and has been praised for the way he has conducted himself during his five years as Barca coach, was cheered by fans every time he got out of the dugout during Sunday's match.

    Guardiola too praised the achievements of his predecessor, describing them as "extraordinary."

    "What he (Rijkaard) has done makes you want to take your hat off to him. It's extraordinary. He is an example to all of us," Guardiola told sports daily Mundo Deportivo.

    The former Spanish international is expected to mount a clear-out of players. Local media say Ronaldinho, Gianluca Zambrotta, Lilian Thuram, and Edmilson are sure to leave, while Eto'o, Deco and Henry are among others who could also depart if the right offer arrives.

    Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid wants Javier Aguirre to stay as coach next season, although the Mexican is remaining noncommittal.

    Atletico clinched a place in next season's Champions League when his side beat Deportivo de La Coruna 1-0 on Sunday, the first time the club has reached Europe's top club competition for 12 years.

    Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said Aguirre's contract had a clause in which it would be renewed automatically if the team reached Europe this season.

    Atletico will play in the qualifying round in August, together with Barcelona.

    (Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)