Barcelona confirm Van Gaal axe

Dutchman Louis van Gaal confirmed Tuesday he was leaving Barcelona after just eight months in charge.

The 51-year-old former Dutch national coach insisted he was the best man for Barcelona but said he was no longer able to do the job properly.

Barcelona director Javier Perez Farquell said Monday Van Gaal would be paid four million euros.

"We decided the best would be to go our separate ways," said Van Gaal who led Barcelona to two league titles and the Spanish Cup during his first spell in charge from 1997-2000 before resigning to take over as Dutch national boss.

Van Gaal has enjoyed a successful Champions League campaign with Barcelona, winning all 10 of their matches but he has paid the price for their league form which after Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Celta Vigo left them 20 points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad.

The blunt speaking Dutchman's return to the Barca hotseat was not a popular one as he had been criticised the first time round for his authoritarian style and rigid tactics as well as his ditching several club favourites in favour of Dutch players.

His falling out with Rivaldo at the start of his second term led to the Brazilian World Cup hero leaving for AC Milan.

Carlos Rexach, sacked as Barcelona coach last May after they lost a Champions League semi-final to bitter rivals Real Madrid, was made caretaker manager.

Van Gaal's most successful period was as Ajax Amsterdam coach with whom he won the European Cup in 1995 and lost the 1996 final to Juventus.