The Rotterdam club parted company with Gertjan Verbeek last week, leaving assistant coach Leon Vlemmings in charge on an interim basis.

Rijkaard has been out of work since stepping down as Barca coach at the end of the 2007/08 season, and recent reports have linked him with the Feyenoord post.

But the 46-year-old, who spent five years at the Nou Camp, insists he has no plans to return to coaching just yet.

“My phone is off,” Rijkaard told De Telegraaf. “It was not for nothing that I took a sabbatical.

“At the start of the season I said I would not work for a year and I am sticking by that.

“I think I will be open to another job in football in the new season. What and where, I do not know yet.

“Anything would be fun, but I do prefer a club to a job with the FA. For the time being their are no concrete plans or talks, though.”

A 3-1 defeat to Heerenveen last Friday has left Feyenoord lying a disappointing 12th in the Eredivisie.

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The Brazil international has outlined his determination to quit the French champions after losing his regular place in the first team and having become disillusioned with life at the Stade Gerland.

Les Gones had been reluctant to let him go but he was dropped from the squad for the weekend’s 2-0 win at Grenoble, and club president Jean-Michel Aulas yesterday confirmed the 25-year-old could leave.

Today Faccioli reiterated Lyon’s willingness to allow Fred to move on, but said his exit has been delayed by the player himself.

“Fred, who several weeks ago expressed his desire to return to Brazil, is still at Lyon,” he told the club’s website.

“The club has been very understanding and has told him that if he wants to return there to build up his strength, we are ready to let him go.

“Today, we’re still ready to do that but, contrary to what Fred has said, things are dragging.

“Today, on Tuesday January 20, He is still stalling and he is still down there.”

A move to Brazilian club Fluminense looked set to go through on Friday before Fred’s agent and brother Rodrigo Chaves confirmed the transfer had fallen through.

Fluminense president Roberto Horcades had claimed earlier in the day that Fred had reached an agreement with the club’s football manager Alexandre Faria to move to the Sao Paulo-based outfit when his contract at Lyon expires.

Reports have since emerged that Premier League duo Stoke and Tottenham are interested in the forward’s services.

But Chaves has rubbished those reports too, while adding that offers had been received from clubs in Brazil.

“It’d be better to talk to (fictional Brazilian side) Tabajara,” he told globoesporte.com.

“Until now we only received offers from Fluminense and Palmeiras.”

A return to his homeland now appears the most likely solution for the out-of-favour forward, after a representative of the French club in Brazil revealed Lyon were more likely to do business with clubs outside Europe.

“If he reaches an agreement with any Brazilian side and he accepts the salary there the club will release him for free,” Marcelo Djian said.

“If the transfer is in Europe, Lyon are going to want a transfer fee.

“The president accepted the player’s request. It was not easy. As of today he will be training with the reserves.”

As for the player himself, Fred today reacted to his president’s comments, saying he was being punished for wanting a move.

He told Brazilian television station SporTV: “I was shocked by quotes from Aulas about my performances on the pitch not matching my salary.

“For two years the same president has been asking me every month to renew my contract. However, I don’t want to as, after four years, I understand it’s time for a change of scene.

“And the president is punishing me for that. From time to time he tells the coaches to remove me from the rest of the squad. So my decision is irreversible. I will not stay at Lyon.”

Meanwhile, Faccioli revealed talks are “ongoing” with a number of possible replacements or reinforcements but as yet no decision had been taken.

Caen striker Steve Savidan has recently emerged as a target, as has West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert.

“No decision has been taken about him (Faubert), nor other players. Talks are ongoing,” he said.

“We’re still discussing, things are advancing but at the moment there is nothing definitive – contrary to what is written in the papers.”

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Éric Gerets finally has the striker he has been craving for several months as it was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian striker Brandao had signed a three and a half year deal with the Provence club. Although the Ukrainian club initially held out for €10 million, various sources report the actual value of the deal to be between €6 million and €8 million.

At the press conference announcing his arrival, the 28 year-old striker, who was prolific with his former club, simply oozed confidence. “In the next few months I will show all my qualities and everyone will learn something about me,” he boldly stated. “In the Ukraine, I watched the matches of OM on television and they seduced me. My style will change many things. I am a motivator on the ground and I will do my best to stay here as long as possible.”

Brandao has been particularly impressed with the welcome he has received in France. “The reception was very nice and the fans were very kind,” he smiled. “I can identify with the team and the fans, who support their team for 90 minutes. They are like the supporters of [Brazilian sides] Corinthians and Flamengo.”

Due to the winter break in the Ukrainian league, Brandao was back in Brazil on holiday when the initial contact was made and, as a result, it has been some time since he has trained properly. He is, therefore, highly unlikely to feature against Le Havre this weekend but the striker assured: “In a week I think I’ll be ready.”

Gerets cannot wait to unleash the man he described as “a real beast” on Ligue 1’s defences as he has the reputation of being the goal scoring striker he has been searching for.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

Olympiakos striker Darko Kovacevic has successfully undergone heart surgery in Spain, though his football career in is serious doubt.

The 35 year-old Serb was suffering from a narrowing of the arteries of the heart, though it was confirmed in an official statement on his club’s website that he had been treated.

“Darko Kovacevic underwent a coronary angioplasty in San Sebastian, Spain this morning,” the statement read.

“The outcome of the operation is considered a 100% success.”

Kovacevic, who joined the Piraeus club at the beginning of last season, is set to be released from hospital today.

He will undergo a period of prolonged rest before making a decision on his playing career, though reports in Spain and Greece are suggesting that it may come to an end as a result of his heart condition.

The former Yugoslavia international has enjoyed a distinguished career for both club and country, having made over 150 appearances for Real Sociedad in a six year spell with the Spanish club before moving to Olympiakos.

A highly successful first season in Greece saw ‘Darko’ establish himself as a crowd favourite thanks to his goal-scoring exploits on the continental and domestic scene, playing a key role in the club’s memorable UEFA Champions League campaign.

Frontline Reinforcements?

Kovacevic’s operation might just prompt Olympiakos manager Ernesto Valverde into action in the January transfer market, with the Spanish manager’s striking ranks now looking increasingly depleted.

Without the towering forward, the former Espanyol boss only has first-choice striker Diogo and the rather erratic 22 year-old Konstantinos Mitroglou to choose from to fill his favoured lone striker’s role.

Greece international Theofanis Gekas has previously been linked with the Greek giants, though he denied any contact had been made with him in an interview with radio station Sentra 101.3 FM.

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com