Barcelona have renamed their training ground in honour of former Coach Tito Vilanova, who died last April.
The Catalan club announced on Friday that Field 1 of their Ciutat Esportiva training complex would be retitled Camp Tito Vilanova in remembrance of the trainer following defeat in his long-running battle with throat cancer at just 45.
“Of course, Tito would say it’s not worth it, but the best thing you can do when someone dear is not here any longer is remember them,” said his widow Montse Chaure at the inauguration.
“He loved this ground, he said he was privileged to be able to do what he loved, which was coaching. He loved all these players.”
President Josep Maria Bartomeu also paid tribute to Vilanova, acknowledging Barca’s ‘important step forward’ under his leadership.
“With [Tito] we took a very important step forward, which was winning the League title in 2013 with a record 100 points,” he said.
“We all know who Tito Vilanova is [now], but by attaching his name to this ground, everyone who walks on this ground in the future will know who he is.
"Whenever future generations step out onto the ground, we can explain who Tito was to them, if they ask.
“It was a commitment of the Board since September 2014 to attach the name of Tito Vilanova to this ground, which has brought so much success to this team since 2009.
“Our beloved Tito Vilanova, who was a player, Coach and a great Barcelona man, will bear the new name of Field 1 at the Ciutat Esportiva.”
