ExcitingAds! Tito Vilanova

Barcelona to commemorate Tito Vilanova at training ground

Guardian staff — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 12:56:42 GMT

• Former coach died in April aged 45
• Pitch to be named in his memory

Barcelona have announced that a pitch at their training ground will be named after Tito Vilanova, their former coach, who died this year aged 45.

The club’s board agreed that the pitch where the first team train at Ciudad Deportiva de Sant Joan Despi would be renamed in honour of Vilanova.

It’s the Sids 2014! The complete review of La Liga 2013-14 | Sid Lowe

Sid Lowe — Wed, 28 May 2014 09:14:09 GMT

From a flashing backside distracting Diego Costa to Carlos Vela presenting a match ball to his dog, it’s time for the annual end-of-season Spanish football awards

It was the biggest party Madrid had seen in a decade but it might not even have been the biggest party Madrid saw that week. Atlético Madrid celebrated their first league title in 18 years one Sunday evening in May, their 10th in total; less than seven days later and barely 400m up the road, Real Madrid celebrated their first European Cup in 12 years, their 10th in total. From one God to the next, from Neptune to Cibeles, it had been a long wait. For Real, it felt like an eternity, becoming an obsession. For Atlético, it was not so much the impossible dream as too impossible to be a dream at all. But, somehow, they had made it. Both of them had.

At the end of the European Cup final, a handful of Real Madrid’s players ran into the press room and leapt on Carlo Ancelotti, chucking water around, bouncing up and down and singing: “How could I not love you?” Ancelotti had succeeded where a dozen coaches had failed and among his team only Iker Casillas had won the European Cup for the club before; when Casillas had come down the steps of the plane with the trophy 12 years ago, fans were already chanting for the ‘10th’ but they had not even reached a final since Glasgow. Gareth Bale watched it on the television, just a kid. This was a liberation.

Barcelona pay tribute to Tito Vilanova – video

Guardian Staff — Mon, 05 May 2014 10:32:00 GMT

Barcelona's players and coaching staff recite La Vall del Riu Vermell, a Catalan interpretation of an African spiritual often performed at funerals, in tribute to the club's former head coach Tito Vilanova. A video of the tribute was played inside the Nou Camp before Barcelona's La Liga match on Saturday against Getafe. Villanova led Barcelona to the Spanish title in the 2012-2013 season. He died of cancer on 25 April Continue reading...

The gifs that keep on giving: Tito Vilanova, John Terry and tiki-taka

Paul Campbell — Sat, 03 May 2014 08:45:00 GMT

Featuring Vilanova scoring against Barcelona, a hasty hockey player and a young man who conquered three sports at once

Thanks for all your suggestions on our last gifs blog.

'A Spanish party in Lisbon': James Richardson's European football papers review – video

James Richardson, Matt Hall and Richard Sprenger — Thu, 01 May 2014 22:01:00 GMT

AC Jimbo brings you all the continental reaction to the Champions League semi final results, as the Madrid sides Real and Atléti dispose of Bayern Munich and Chelsea respectively to book their tickets to the final in Lisbon. There's also time to reflect on the loss of the former Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova, who passed away after a long battle with cancer last week Continue reading...

'Your fight is our strength' a fitting legacy to Tito Vilanova at Barcelona

Sid Lowe — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 00:30:00 GMT

The former coach, who has died aged 45 after battling throat cancer, made the great club 'human'

On the eve of Tito Vilanova's first season in charge of Barcelona, he stood in the middle of the Camp Nou pitch with a microphone in hand. Tradition dictates that the new campaign is welcomed with the Gamper Trophy and the manager always has a message to deliver. This time, in August 2012, it carried a special emotive power. "I'm so happy that you're here with us," Vilanova turned to tell the French defender Eric Abidal. "Your fight is our strength."

Abidal had undergone a liver transplant in April of that year after suffering cancer and Vilanova knew something of what the Frenchman was going through: in November 2011 he had been diagnosed with cancer of the parotid gland in the throat while assistant manager to Pep Guardiola. The following May it was formally announced that he had fully overcome the illness and he looked forward to a future as the manager of the club. His club. Abidal was still recovering from the operation, his future uncertain.

Tito Vilanova, former Barcelona coach, dies from throat cancer aged 45

Guardian staff and agencies — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 16:32:32 GMT

• Barcelona announce death of former manager
• 'FC Barcelona is in immense mourning'

Tito Vilanova, the coach who succeeded Pep Guardiola at Barcelona and won the Spanish league title in his only season in charge, died on Friday after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 45.

Vilanova, who has battled a recurring tumour in a saliva gland, was admitted to a Barcelona hospital last week. He reportedly had emergency surgery on Thursday.

Eric Abidal says Dani Alves offered part of his liver for transplant

Associated Press — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 23:21:38 GMT

• Brazil defender's gesture appreciated by Barcelona team-mate
• French international insists he is happy with Nou Camp exit

Eric Abidal said on Sunday that his former Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves had offered him part of his liver when he needed a transplant last year.

Abidal told Catalunya Radio that Dani Alves, who now wears Abidal's old number 22, "wanted to give me his liver but it couldn't be" because it would have hurt the Brazil right-back's ability to play. The France defender's cousin ended up donating him part of his liver.

Barcelona: Gerardo Martino a new expense as Tito Vilanova still on books - video

Guardian Staff — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 15:17:00 GMT

Barcelona vice-president Javier Faus says he is happy to welcome new manager Gerardo Martino to the club, even if it is under sad circumstances as former manager Tito Vilanova stood down due to cancer. Faus says the new manager will be an extra expense for the club as Vilanova is still on their books but working in less demanding areas of the business Continue reading...

Lionel Messi backs Gerardo Martino to become new Barcelona manager

Press Association — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 10:54:08 GMT

• Argentinian in talks over succeeding Tito Vilanova
• 'He gets his teams playing well and we all respect him'

Lionel Messi has spoken glowingly about Gerardo Martino following the emergence of his fellow Argentinian as the favourite to succeed Tito Vilanova as the manager at Camp Nou.

Barcelona's sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, is in Buenos Aires for talks with Martino, who led Newell's Old Boys to the Argentinian Clausura title last season but recently severed ties with the club.

Manchester United chase for Cesc Fábregas may be affected by departure

Jamie Jackson in Sydney — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 22:00:00 GMT

• Barcelona looking for new coach after Tito Vilanova leaves
• David Moyes remains hopeful of a deal for midfielder

Tito Vilanova's departure as Barcelona coach to resume his battle with throat cancer may have implications for Manchester United's pursuit of Cesc Fábregas. United were reported to have made an improved £30m offer for the Spain midfielder on Saturday but any deal now risks being delayed or even scrapped due to the search for a new coach.

Barcelona are engaged in appointing Vilanova's successor, with the Spanish champions hoping of doing so over the coming week – and that now takes precedence over any transfer business.

Barcelona eyeing up Luis Enrique to be Tito Vilanova's successor

Sid Lowe in Madrid — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 15:38:04 GMT

• Celta Vigo appointed former Barça B coach six weeks ago
• Gerardo Martino of Newell's Old Boys also a candidate

The former Barcelona B team coach Luis Enrique has emerged as the favourite to become the Catalan club's new first-team manager after Tito Vilanova's decision to step down, with Gerardo Martino, the coach of the Argentinian side Newell's Old Boy coach, also among those that have been contacted.

Luis Enrique became manager of Celta Vigo less than six weeks ago and Barcelona would be obliged to pay €3m (£2.6m) to release him. They hope to announce their new manager in the next few days and do not intend to promote from within.

Lionel Messi leads support for outgoing Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova

Press Association — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 10:45:41 GMT

• 'We are all with you in this fight,' says Barcelona's No10
• Manager steps down to continue his cancer treatment

Lionel Messi was among a host of sports stars to offer support and encouragement to Tito Vilanova following Friday night's announcement that the Barcelona coach was having to step down from his post with the Spanish champions for health reasons.

The Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell, confirmed at a press conference that Vilanova would not be continuing in the role as he requires further treatment for the throat cancer that was first diagnosed in late 2011.

Tito Vilanova steps down as Barcelona coach to continue his cancer battle

Sid Lowe — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 16:18:46 GMT

• Manager needs more treatment for throat cancer
• Replacement is due to be named next week

Barcelona's coach Tito Vilanova has stepped down after suffering a further relapse of throat cancer. Tests detected that the disease that was first diagnosed in November 2011 required a course of treatment that has forced Vilanova to step down, the club's president Sandro Rosell explained. Barcelona cancelled a planned trip to Poland for a pre-season friendly.

Barcelona expect to announce the new manager in the coming days. Until then, the first team will be run by the assistant coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia "Rubí", who only joined the club from second division Girona in the summer. But the new permanent manager will not be an in-house appointment.

Barcelona's Tito Vilanova 'surprised' by Pep Guardiola accusations

Press Association — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:19:14 GMT

• Guardiola said club 'used Tito's illness to cause me damage'
• Current Barça coach contradicts friend's version of events

Barcelona's coach, Tito Vilanova, has hit back at comments by his predecessor Pep Guardiola who had said he was incensed at suggestions that he had not made the effort to see his former assistant when he was in New York for cancer treatment.

Guardiola had also accused the club's directors of not leaving him in peace after he left the club, saying: "I will never forget that they used Tito's illness to cause me damage, because it's a lie that I never saw him in New York."

A sense of anticlimax but Barcelona still deserve their La Liga title | Sid Lowe

Sid Lowe — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:19:59 GMT

The feeble challenge offered by Real Madrid means that little praise has been lavished on Tito Vilanova's champions

Tito Vilanova did not see his team win the league. It was coming up to midnight on Saturday and across the city, out near the airport at the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat, the final whistle was about to go on the title race. But the end had effectively come months before and it had come, at least in part, like this: with Real Madrid conceding a goal from a set piece and limply dropping points away.

Helenio Herrera, Barcelona's coach between 1958 and 1960, famously once claimed that his team would win their next match without getting off the bus. This weekend, Barcelona won the league without getting on it.

Paris St-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic ready for 'world's best' Barcelona

Associated Press — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:00:38 GMT

• PSG striker respectful about former club Barça
• Tito Vilanova and Eric Abidal will travel to Paris

Paris St-Germain will get a clearer idea of how far their ambition can take them this season when they host Barcelona in the first leg of their quarter-final.

PSG have made headlines for a huge spending spree which has helped recruit the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Lucas, but have yet to face a team anywhere near as good as the four-time winners. "How do you beat them? Good question," said Ibrahimovic, who has 29 goals this season. "We will have to concentrate on our way of playing and the coach will choose the right tactics for this match against, without doubt, the best team in the world."

Barcelona's Vilanova returns after cancer treatment in the US – video

Guardian Staff — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:03:00 GMT

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has returned to Barcelona after 10 weeks receiving treatment in the United States for a throat tumour. The 44-year old flew to the United States on 21 January for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Since his departure, Barça have won eight of their 13 competitive matches – getting knocked out of the Copa del Rey to Real Madrid but overturning a 2-0 first leg deficit against Milan in the Champions League Continue reading...

Tito Vilanova set for Barcelona return after two-month absence

Press Association — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:57:19 GMT

• Vilanova was in New York undergoing cancer treatment
• Barcelona set to face Paris Saint-Germain next week

The Barcelona manager, Tito Vilanova, will return to Spain this week after two months in New York undergoing cancer treatment, the Catalan club have announced.

Vilanova travelled to America on 21 January for chemotherapy and radiotherapy following surgery on his parotid gland in December. The 44-year-old had suffered a relapse after first having a tumour removed from his throat in November 2011.

Lionel Messi's 'magisterial lesson' lights up Barcelona win over Milan

Sid Lowe at Camp Nou — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:46:28 GMT

• Argentinian scores twice in 4-0 second-leg victory
• Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova to return in two weeks
• All the best pictures from Camp Nou

Lionel Messi delivered a "magisterial" display to inspire Barcelona to a 4-0 win over Milan and complete a remarkable comeback that took his side into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Argentinian forward capped a breathtaking display with two goals as Barça overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to clinch a place in the last eight. Yet for all their dominance, the assistant coach Jordi Roura dismissed suggestions that his team are favourites to win the competition.