n the press conference to announce the departure of Pep Guardiola from Barça on June 30, President Sandro Rosell also reported that the next manager will be Tito Vilanova, who has been Guardiola’s assistant throughout his four years in charge of the first team.
“When Pep told us in October that he was thinking about not continuing with the Club, looking for a substitute was a big challenge,” said Andoni Zubizarreta. “The decision was made after multiple reflections. The most important, keeping the team competitive. Tito Vilanova represents the game, the analysis, the planning, the commitment and the personality,” said FC Barcelona’s director of football, for whom a sample of Vilanova’s true character is that, while knowing Guardiola’s profound influence on the team, still accepted the challenge of being the new manager.
Guardiola praised FC Barcelona’s future manager:
“expect the best. I believe that the Club made the best choice. He’s a capable person, and the players know him. He’ll give to the Club and the players what I can no longer give.”
Guardiola explained that when he talked to Tito about the job he only told him one thing:
“if you feel ready, don’t doubt, go for it. They are offering you the chance to be Barça’s manager. Every manager in the world would want this job.”
Guardiola also said that he will not intervene in Vilanova’s future decisions, however, he’ll make himself available if the future manager needs him:
“I’m leaving. I’m stepping to the side. The players trained like beasts. It’s the best sign that we are in good hands.”
Comments on this entry are closed.