Yugoslav Radomir Antic has been appointed coach of struggling Spanish First Division giants Barcelona, club president Joan Gaspart confirmed at a hotel here on Friday.

The 54-year-old former Atletico, Real Madrid and Oviedo coach replaces Dutchman Louis van Gaal who left the post earlier this week after just eight months at the Nou Camp.

The Yugoslavian coach was appointed following a meeting with Gaspart and he will stay with Barca until the end of the season with the option of a second term depending on results.

Antic's appointment was made official following a meeting of the club's administrative council Friday afternoon, and he will have less than 24 hours to prepare for the team's First Division game at Atletico Madrid.

Gaspart told a press conference: "I'm very happy with the appointment."

Barcelona had been linked with the former Argentinian national coach Cesar Luis Menotti, but Antic's greater experience in Spain convinced Nou Camp bosses.

Carlos Rexach, sacked as Barcelona coach last May after they lost a Champions League semi-final to bitter rivals Real Madrid, had been appointed caretaker manager for the fifth time and was reported to be close to taking over as coach again.

Antic, who left Oviedo in 2001, led Atletico to a league and cup double in 1996. A former Yugoslavian international midfielder, he also coached FK Partizan and Real Zaragoza.

Barcelona's recent slump in form leaves them 12th in the Spanish First Division, without a win in their

last three games and facing the prospect of finishing in the lower half of the table for the first time since 1942.

Conversely, Barcelona have won all 10 of their Champions League

matches this term although that did little to appease Barca's fans who called for van Gaal's head after last Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Celta Vigo left them 20 points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad.