Rijkaard had been away from professional football for nearly a year having left Spanish giants Barcelona at the end of June 2008 following two seasons without a trophy.
Fourth Coaching Job for Rijkaard
Frank Rijkaard's appointment as Galatasaray coach is the fourth such job he has had since retiring from playing in 1995.
Rijkaard's coaching career started in unusual fashion. His first job came in 1998 when he was appointed manager of the Holland national team. At the time, it was considered very rare for a young coach to be given a job as a national team manager without having any previous managerial experience, although since then more high profile countries such as Germany and Argentina have gone down a similar route.
After two years in charge of Holland, Rijkaard left and was soon looking for jobs at club level to gain experience. In 2001, he was appointed manager at Sparta Rotterdam, a small club in his native Holland, where he stayed for one season with minimal success.
A year after leaving that post, Rijkaard landed his biggest job to date when he joined Barcelona for what turned out to be a 5 year stint. In that time he enjoyed relative success, winning the La Liga title twice as well as the 2006 UEFA Champions League.
However, a baron two seasons followed the Champions League success and, under mounting pressure from fans, Rijkaard left the club in 2008.
All Change at Galatasaray
Frank Rijkaard comes in at Galatasaray as a replacement for the out going coach, Bulent Korkmaz.
Kormaz was a popular figure at the Turkish giants having played for the club for 18 years. He was only given the coaching job in February this year following the sacking of Michael Skibbe after a dismal season by their high standards.
Having finished the in season 5th place (unthinkable for a side who usually finish in the top two) behind their fierce rivals Fenerbahce, Korkmaz decided it was time to step down as coach and allow someone else to try to change the clubs fortunes; paving the way for Rijkaard's arrival.
Rijkaard Looks for More Success in Turkey
Having been used to success for many years, Galatasaray fans will be hoping Frank Rijkaard can bring success back to the Turkish giants after a disastrous season.
Rijkaard has enjoyed great success as both a player and a manager and will be looking for more of the same at Galatasaray. The Dutchman has won a combined 9 league titles over his career as well as 4 European Cups.
The minimum aim for Rijkaard will be to win the league title in his first season, beating rivals Fenerbahce along the way, although he may have his eyes on a European trophy too.
Galatasaray won't participate in next seasons Champions League but they will take part in the new UEFA Europa League.
