FC Barcelona completed the signing of new coach Pep Guardiola on a two-year contract yesterday, the club said.

Guardiola, who previously managed Barcelona's reserve team, replaces departed coach Frank Rijkaard who left last month after five seasons in charge at the Camp Nou.

Guardiola 37, was a key player for Barcelona under Dutch coach Johan Cruyff in the 1990s, and also played for Brescia and AS Roma in Italy. He retired as a player in 2006.

Barcelona finished in third place in the Spanish league this past season, 18 points behind champion Real Madrid -- its worst showing in five years. In a bid to reshape itself, the club has already signed Sevilla midfielder Seydou Keita, defender Gerard Pique from Manchester United and Uruguayan center back Martin Caceres.

Rijkaard led the Catalans to back-to-back Spanish league titles and the Champions League trophy in 2006.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily June 6, 2008)