Tito Vilanova

[bobo]

Anyone think it's really all him?

[maniaFCB]

This reminds me of several years ago...

[Sami]

"It's Pep who's preparing everything
and sometimes he surprises even me."


Tito Vilanova, Barcelona assistant coach

[matfcb]

http://www.totalbarca.com/2011/interviews/tito-speaks/

Tito speaks

Barca’s assistant coach Tito Villanova has been speaking to the press about what it is that makes this current crop of players so special, with Pep’s right-hand man revealing some interesting facts in the process.

Tito on Messi – Vilanova coached Leo Messi when he played for Barca’s Cadet B, and the coach remembers how the young Argentine used to enjoy playing as a false forward even then, so it’s no surprise he is doing the job so well right now. “He used to play as a false center forward, so [the fact that] he has occupied the position for almost two seasons with us is not new to him, and he was used to playing well there. Playing him as the center of the front three was a conscious decision and one which we were sure would work because Leo Messi is pure talent.”

“Playing as a false centre-forward means he is involved much more in the collective play of the entire team, and he is much harder to stop because you do not know whether to go left or right and, above all, because any rival will think twice before making a foul on the edge of the area because of the hazards involved.”

“Beyond this, Leo creates a huge scoring ability and another side which is equally decisive: vision. How many goals has Leo had this season? Messi is complete, he has it all. He even scored with a header in the final in Rome!”

“With the first team in 2008, our first commitment was to a clear 4-3-3 with Leo located on the right wing. It is normal that after seeing us play on many occasions, each time it would be harder for us to surprise the opposing team. On the wing, Messi, or any other player, it is easier to counter, especially when he almost always finds himself in a one on one.”

Tito on David Villa – “From day one we planned to sign Villa, but the market is not always easy. He is an extraordinary player, but especially a person out of the ordinary, which shows that at the time of signing him we not only had to see his footballing virtues, but also what he contributes to the locker room.”

“You have to take your hat off to Villa because he came to Barcelona with great humility. We have signed a world champion, the top scorer in team history [fpr Spain], a player who has cost what he cost … and yet Villa behaves with the humility of a child promoted from Barça B. He has adapted and brings a great work ethic and is always developing. With Spain he often plays this role, to get into space on the touchline. We love him and it is also true that it helped having many friends in the locker room, such as Piqué, Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi, Busi …”

Tito on Alves – “We are talking about, no doubt, the best right back in the world and it is normal that the big European teams are interested in him. We, as coaches, no doubt, want him to stay at Barca and I’m sure this issue will end well. Dani has every right in the world to defend his interests and fight for the agreement he thinks fair. I also understand the club, and I’m sure they will make the effort necessary to keep Dani with us.”

Tito on Afellay – “We met all the conditions to sign him in December, because it was a great chance that the market gave us. Ibi can play in many positions, both inside and outside, up front or in midfield, and for us that is basic. He has a technical background in handling the ball and a very good definition in front of goal. He likes to come and shoot from deep. He is good at finding space and offers support recovering the ball. We’re thrilled with him, of course.”

Tito on Mascherano – “Yaya would not stay and that upset our plans because he could play three positions. From there we started working on finding a replacement and we opted for Javier, we are delighted he has had a fabulous development. Playing in this team is not easy, it requires a series of automatic responses and natural movement and work. He’s done great. He moves and dominates the ball perfectly and has other virtues, such as reading the game. If you must move the ball side to side then do it; if you have to move forward, then advance; if you go back, then go back, and when there is a counter he is there to sweep it all up with great success.”

Tito on Bojan – “If someone had had the slightest doubt about what he can offer, would we have renewed his contract? No…The crew, we all trust him. We have no doubt about Bojan. Last season, in an extremely difficult stretch, he played and scored crucial goals. He is only 20 years old. At that age even Iniesta wasn’t a permanent fixture. It took years to settle, to grow and that takes time. I am convinced that Bojan will be the same. His position at the club is more difficult because historically the center-forwards who have played here have been the best in the world. He must be calm, keep growing, because the time will come.“

[LeeRomeno]

so i guess Tito will take over as boss :)

[Magus]

Tito OUT!
(just to respect the tradition )
Happy that this dream era won't be over yet. Pep era is over but maybe, just maybe, not the Dream Team era.

[Magus]

Dude, it's official! Pep, Zubi and Rosell just said it in the conference! They're still saying it! Wake up... Tito is the new coach!

[profit007]

So it's true, Tito will be Barca's new manager, this will be interesting :).

[LeeRomeno]

its pretty good choice, first of all club knows him, players know him, he knows how Pep has worked and perhaps has developed some ideas of his own.
He always seemed to ahve an important role next to Pep, in almost every game i have seen footage of them discussing some game related issues.
Also i think the eye-poking will give him personal motivation to overcome Mourinho next season.

[Silvztoon]

s*** just got real. Very happy with the choice. I cant wait to see what Tito will bring to the table.

[matfcb]

Tito has been appointed officially as our coach yesterday.

His decisions:
- Alves will stay 100%, he won't leave, he is key player for Tito
- Keita if he wants to, will stay
- Cuenca, Villa, Pedro will stay, Tello will stay but will be registered as B-player
- Adriano will stay
- Jordi Alba as new LB and new CB, two priorities for signings
- no new forward

http://estaticos.elperiodico.com/resources/pdf/6/4/1339794207046.pdf

Here is good graphic to illustrate his plan.

[conorcasey]

i like that

[xenmate]

Tito OUT

[Ozz]

TITO OUT!!!

[IndoCulé]

Vilanova plays down Guardiola comparisons

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova played down comparisons with his spectacularly successful predecessor Pep Guardiola after his unbeaten team set a record for the best start to a La Liga season on Saturday.

Since Vilanova stepped up from assistant coach at the end of last term to replace Guardiola, who is taking a well-earned rest from the game, Barca have won 13 and drawn one of their opening 14 league matches and top the standings on 40 points.

Saturday's crushing 5-1 victory at home to Athletic Bilbao meant they eclipsed the record of 39 points set by Real Madrid in the first 14 games of the 1961-62 campaign.

They lead their nearest challengers Atletico Madrid, who lost 2-0 at third-placed Real on Saturday, by six points.

The best start managed by Guardiola, who led the club to 14 trophies during his four years in charge, was 37 points from 14 games in the 2010-11 season.

"Those four years will never be repeated for everything that was achieved, for the titles, the way we played," Vilanova told a news conference.

"I feel proud because I was also part of that and I have only been in charge for a very short time," he added.

"I am very happy to set the record of wins but I am more happy about the performance of the players, who knew how to control the game.

"Even though we were winning 5-1 we kept pressuring with the aim of scoring more goals.

"Playing like that for sure we'll be strong, we'll win a lot of matches and we'll be up there competing for titles."

With an 11-point lead over arch rivals Real, who suffered a poor start to their title defence, Barca are well placed to win a fourth La Liga title in five years and are also through to the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners.

The only points they have dropped this season came in October's "Clasico", a 2-2 draw with Real at the Nou Camp.

Article taken from: http://fourfourtwo.com/news/spain/115003/default.aspx