LeRoy to quit Ghana coaching job

Claude LeRoy is to leave his post as Ghana coach at the end of this month after turning down an extension to his contract, the Ghana Football Association said today.

The decision comes less than a month before Ghana begin their bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals with their opening game against Libya on June 1. Le Roy's two-year contract was due to expire at the end of June but he had been offered an extension after Ghana finished third at the African Nations Cup finals earlier this year. He had initially said he would take up the offer but has now reversed his decision for what the GFA said were personal reasons.

Meanwhile, Frank Rijkaard will leave Barcelona at the end of the season and former club captain Pep Guardiola will take charge of the team, president Joan Laporta told a news conference on today. Rijkaard took charge of Barcelona in 2003 and led them to back-to-back league titles and victory in the Champions League in 2006. His contract was due to run to 2009. - Reuters