Barca promote from within

Barcelona moved swiftly to continue the philosophies developed successfully by Pep Guardiola by appointing Tito Vilanova as his successor.

Vilanova, currently Guardiola’s assistant, will assume the top job when Guardiola stands down, at the end of his contract on June 30. Guardiola confirmed at a press conference he would be leaving to “recharge his batteries” after four trophy-laden years at the Nou Camp.

The likes of Laurent Blanc and Marcelo Bielsa were linked with the post when it become apparent Guardiola was considering his future but the club’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta feels promoting from within was the way forward.