Rivaldo says van Gaal should be sacked

Former Barcelona forward Rivaldo says the troubled Catalan club should sack coach Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman is under intense pressure because of Barcelona's dismal form in the league.

"The solution is to change the coach," the Brazilian told Spanish sports daily Marca on Thursday. "If that happens the players and fans will recover their enthusiasm again."

"I am not saying this just to be spiteful, it is simply the case that I do not like the way he works."

During van Gaal's first spell in charge at the Nou Camp, between 1997 and 2000, Rivaldo challenged his coach's authority by demanding to play in the centre of the pitch rather than out on the left wing.

Van Gaal won the battle of wills and Rivaldo was forced to apologise for his comments after sitting out two games, but relations between the two suffered irrevocable damage.

Following four defeats in five matches, Barcelona have dropped to 13th place in the table, a distant 16 points behind leaders Real Sociedad and only two above the relegation zone.

The Spanish press say van Gaal will be fired if his side lose their next league match at Real Mallorca on Saturday.