Tito Vilanova replaces Guardiola as Barca coach

Agencies | 27-Apr 17:49 PM

Barcelona: Barcelona have confirmed Tito Vilanova will take over as Barcelona manager from Pep Guardiola at the end of the season. Vilanova has been Guardiola's assistant since he took the job at Camp Nou in 2008 and has helped to guide Barca to win every trophy going.

In a press conference on Friday afternoon, club president Sandro Rosell thanked Guardiola for his outstanding contribution to the club and welcomed Vilanova as the new coach.

Sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta felt promoting from within, as they did with Guardiola, was the best way forward. He said: 'We've always said that if the team needs players, we look at home first (Barca B). Who do we have here at home? Tito.'

The move to name a replacement so swiftly was a surprise with speculation in Spain linking the likes of Ernesto Valverde, Laurent Blanc and Marcelo Bielsa with the position once it became clear Guardiola was heading for the exit. Guardiola endorsed the move. He said: 'I think the club has taken the best decision possible. He is more than capable. The players know him. He will make few changes. He will give the club and these players something that I thought I could no longer give."

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