Francesc 'Tito' Vilanova: The Disciple

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Btw I have to say I am slightly disappointed. Not because I don't think Tito is in every way possible fit for the job, but because I was ready to see something new. The current style is mouth-watering and exquisite, but it has also become a bit stale with time. I congratulate Tito and I hope the best for him, but I think it's safe to assume his style will be very close to Guardiola's.

danyjr wrote:

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Btw I have to say I am slightly disappointed. Not because I don't think Tito is in every way possible fit for the job, but because I was ready to see something new. The current style is mouth-watering and exquisite, but it has also become a bit stale with time. I congratulate Tito and I hope the best for him, but I think it's safe to assume his style will be very close to Guardiola's.

I tend to agree with this. Barcelona's loss to Chelsea and Madrid can be viewed as an alarm to the efficiency of their style and how teams have adapted to cope with it. As Mourinho said a few days ago, a fantastic car in the 1980s is not fantastic in the 1990s. Here's hope that Barça's brand of football evolves under Vilanova because I do believe Barcelona need to change and adapt if they want to stay on top for more years to come.

free_cat wrote:No it doesn't. Chelsea of 2012 wasn't more adapted to our style than Chelsea of 2009. We missed our chances and lost. Had Messi put in the penalty no one would be questioning our style.

Every time we lose, our style of football is questioned, but it is only under Cruyff's brand that we've been successful and that we will continue to be.

Tito will continue this brand because he is a fundamentalist as Pep. He may adapt, but I hope he adapts from what it works (433) instead of what Pep has done this season, that it was evolve more and get less results. Evolution is not always good.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Btw I have to say I am slightly disappointed. Not because I don't think Tito is in every way possible fit for the job, but because I was ready to see something new. The current style is mouth-watering and exquisite, but it has also become a bit stale with time. I congratulate Tito and I hope the best for him, but I think it's safe to assume his style will be very close to Guardiola's.

mtfootball wrote:Wasn't Iniesta's goal a counter goal?

Barça's incoming manager, Tito Vilanova, knows the team perfectly. He has been Pep Guardiola’s right hand man for the past four seasons at the head of FC Barcelona. They both got their start with Barça B in 2007, the following year, after Barça B was promoted to Second Division B, they were awarded manager positions in FC Barcelona’s first team. They oversaw Barça’s most glorious era in Club history.

Guardiola’s right hand man

Guardiola has highlighted the impact that Vilanova - simple and discrete - has had on the team on more than one occasion. The current manager has praised Vilanova’s ability to make decisions both on and off the pitch, especially when it comes to executing strategic plays. Vilanova, who has a strong personality and a winning character, is studious in his football and clearly prefers an attacking and passing style of play. His four years on the Barça bench has earned him the reputation of being methodical and hard working when it comes to preparing the team.

Made in La Masía

Born in Bellcaire d’Empordà, Girona, on September 17th 1969, Vilanova joined Barça’s youth system in 1984 - interestingly enough, this was the same year that Guardiola joined the team. Vilanova was part of one of La Masía’s most successful youth teams. The future first-team manager applied his skills in the midfield, he made the leap to Barça B and played three friendlies with the first team in the 1988/89 seaon.

He played professional footballer for Figueres, Celta (Primera Division), Badajoz, Mallorca, Lleida, Elche and Gramenet.

Debut with Barça’s U15 team

After hanging up his boots for the last time, Vilanova started his career as a FC Barcelona manager in 2001/02 when he took charge of the team’s U15 B squad. The team featured a young Gerard Piqué, Cesc Fàbregas and Leo Messi. He then managed Palafrugell, Figueres and Terrassa before reuniting with Josep Guardiola in 2007. Five years after helping Guardiola manage Barça B and the Club’s first team, Vilanova will make the jump to head manager of FC Barcelona.