Pep Guardiola on the brink of quitting

just watched the press conference, Pep said that he's exhausted and doesn't feel the same passion anymore, so he needs to take a rest. We will miss you Pep

Rosell just said that Tito Vilanova will be the next manager.

akaranzo wrote:just watched the press conference, Pep said that he's exhausted and doesn't feel the same passion anymore, so he needs to take a rest. We will miss you Pep

Could be the greatest manager to just outright quit football. Sad if he never comes back

akaranzo wrote:Rosell just said that Tito Vilanova will be the next manager.

They are appointing the assistant? Well, OK then.

He will almost certainly come back in the future. I'm guessing when his kids are 16+ and he has less responsibility.

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.

He said it was stressful

The reign is over.

This marks the end of Barcelona's dominance over European football.

Srs.

The Bat-Man wrote:This marks the end of Barcelona's dominance over European football.

Srs.

Agreed, now it's Arsenal's time to shine.

Watch van Persie lift the Champions' League next year.

Let's hope he's in an Arsenal shirt when he does it

One of the most attractive managers in recent years. His beard will be missed.

Mc Babel wrote:He said it was stressful

Still so hot man. He should go to Real so he can manage Xabi.

Eternal Witcher wrote:One of the most attractive managers ever. His cawk will be missed.

Fixed.

It will be saddening if Barca's dominance wanes after this. It shouldn't end on such a note. But I doubt it will, he's perfected the system and his assistant has been schooled enough in his philosophy, I would imagine. Probably won't have the same charisma though.

The Bat-Man wrote:

Eternal Witcher wrote:One of the most attractive managers ever. His cawk will be missed.

Fixed.

cawk? I don't understand where you are going with this.

No reason for Barcelona's supremacy to end now. Vilanova could easily go on to be like Stefan Kovacs. Two of Ajax's treble of European Cups under him after Michels left.