Barcelona Makes Right Move with Tito Vilanova as Successor to Pep Guardiola

Barcelona has made the right decision on Pep Guardiola's successor by naming his assistant, Tito Vilanova, as the new manager of the club starting next season.

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Sandro Rosell announces that Tito Vilanova will be @FCBarcelona's new manager. #FCBLive

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 27, 2012"

At Guardiola's news conference on Friday where he announced he would be leaving the club at the end of the year, him and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta both pledged their support to Vilanova.

Per ESPN: "Tito represents the philosophy of the club," Zubizarreta said. "We've always said that if the team needs players, we look at home first. Who do we have here at home? Tito.''

Guardiola believes Vilanova will prove a successful appointment.

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I think the club has taken the best decision possible, Guardiola said. He is more than capable. The players know him. He will make few changes. He will give the club and these players something that I thought I could no longer give.

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Vilanova has been considered as one of the best assistants in club football, and has been with the club in a managerial role since the 2007-08 season when he was in control of the club's B team. He became Guardiola's No. 2 the next season.

Guardiola, 41, is going to take a break from managing. He leaves Barcelona having won two Champions League titles and three Spanish league titles as part of 13 total trophies in just four years as manager. Guardiola could make it 14 if he leads Barcelona to victory in the Copa del Rey final next month.

Vilanova has never been a manager of a first team, but his great experience at the club and his knowledge of their history and style of football makes up for his lack of managerial experience. The players know him well and will play for him.

He knows the youth system very well and will be able to call up young players from the B team and put them in position to excel with the first team, like Pedro and other players have done during Guardiola's tenure.

Vilanova will not be affected by the pressure to succeed and has a strong eye for talent, which will help him in the transfer market when making purchases.

Barcelona is unique in that it can find great success by hiring new managers from within that know the club well, and not need to hire a big-name manager from the outside. 

With a squad full of world-class players who respect him, Vilanova will have a successful tenure as Barcelona manager and is the perfect replacement for Guardiola.

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