‘Vilanova our Coach next year’

Andoni Zubizarreta has confirmed that Barcelona expect Tito Vilanova to still be the club’s Coach for next season.

The 44-year-old is expected to return to the Barca bench by the end of March, after receiving treatment in New York for a second bout of cancer in the parotid gland of his throat.

In anticipation of that, sporting director Zubizarreta has made clear that the role will be his to take back immediately and into next year.

“Vilanova will coach the club next year. Our best victory would be for him to return,” the retired goalkeeper told RAC 1 this week.

“I have not spoken to Tito since the Milan game ended. There are days that are to be enjoyed from within. Tito deserves this and has more important things than the comeback to consider.

“In medical terms it seems brave to give a fixed date for his return. Anyone who has been in such a situation will know that it is reliant on what you say from one day to another. We will be discreet in that sense. We have to be more cautious.

“Later this month we hope that he will be here, with everything taken into consideration. When Tito is back, he will decide the agenda again. If he wants the first day to be in the morning, noon or at night, that will be so. He commands.

“His current health? Tito is fine. He is looking good, in weight. Mood. Everything. He is in great condition, but we know that such treatments are wearing. Being connected to football he also has that vitality.

The sporting director also commented on the decision to hand things over to Jordi Roura in Vilanova’s absence.

“He’s been under pressure, it has been a complicated process. It was what we thought we had to do. We never thought that was not a solution. From the first day it was decided.”

Zubizarreta also reflected on Barca’s midweek win against Milan.

“Because of the importance of the game itself, then perhaps it is the most complete of the season. After the second goal I believed that this day was ours. That was my feeling.

“Champions League games are decided in small details and are of enormous significance, as we have seen.”

Tags Roura Vilanova Zubizarreta
La Liga - Club News