I pondered the situation that i now faced. Stay a number 2 the new manager, possibly face the sack. Leave with my role here and look for another. Or, apply to replace Pep as Manager of Barcelona. After Pep had decided to take the Spain job without talking to me, we had broken down in communications with one another. I felt that following him wouldn't be the correct career choice for me. Surely now at 39 years of age, this was my time. I gave my application to Joan Laporta, and calmly awaited any sort of news.
Days past and soon a week had passed before i heard anything. It was the 15th of July 2009 and a woke up before calmly strolling into my kitchen and making breakfast. 2 fried eggs accompanied by an unhealthy amount of salt was what I was after. I went over to the dining table, flicked open my laptop and turned it on, waiting for the operating system to load. Once loaded i went straight to my e-mails. There it was.
1 new message. 7.37am. 15th June 2009. Joan Laporta.
I stopped before biting into my egg after seeing this. In the pure shock and anticipation the egg slowly slipped off my fork planting itself on the floor. I paid no attention. I open the e-mail;
'Tito,
I'm very pleased to inform you that we have decided to choose you as our replacement for Pep as manager of F.c Barcelona. After working under Pep we believe that it is benefitial for the players to continue to work with you and a similar method to that of Pep's which gained the best from the current group of players. Get over the ground A.S.A.P so that we can discuss personal terms and budgets.
Many regards,
Joan.'
What had just happened? Had I really been chosen as the replacement? I quickly ran for the shower and put on my Barcelona tracksuit. I proudly acknowledged the club's crest before also looking at my own initials. This was it. Time to step out of the shadows of Pep.
I arrived at the Camp Nou. It was marvellous to behold. 98,000 capacity. The fans soon to be chanting my name. This thought brought a huge smile to my face. I began to walk up the stars to the main entrance to the reception. I walked through many corridors before arriving at Joan's office. He was sitting with numerous sheets of papers on his desk whilst looking out onto the historic Camp Nou pitch.
'Tito, come in!'
Talks began. And ended. We came to the agreement to as this was my first manager role, a 2 year deal would be best for both parties. Joan offered me 33,500 a week in wages, which of course, i accepted. We organised that there would be a budget of £13.5million to spend, unless stated otherwise.We shook hands and I left the Camp Nou a very happy man. I straight away dived into the business side of things and got onto the phone to one player's agent as soon as i could.
'Hola?'
'Hola, is this Senior Hectór?'
'Sí, this is him, who is calling?
'Tito Vilanova, the new manager of Barcelona, I am calling about the availability of one of the players you represent...'
'Ok, and who may this be?'
'David Villa'
Negotiations went from there. After Hectór assured me of the availability of David I got onto the phone to Valencia and their representatives. a fee of £34.5million was arranged. I though wanted to speak to David in person. We arranged a meeting to discuss terms.
David came to the Camp Nou for jis meeting where he successfully passed a medical. Following this we began the serious negotiations. David asked for £105,000 a week for 5 years and demanded £3.2million to help himself and his wife and 2 children settle into Barcelona. I deemed this and as no problem and extended a hand to the deadliest striker in Spain. Everybody knew what he was capable of and i had now signed him for my team. As i wasn't looking to play a 4-3-3 like Pep i needed extra firepower in order to play next to Zlaten. Who better than my country's tailesman.
I looked now to the beginning of the season, and starting with a bang.
Days past and soon a week had passed before i heard anything. It was the 15th of July 2009 and a woke up before calmly strolling into my kitchen and making breakfast. 2 fried eggs accompanied by an unhealthy amount of salt was what I was after. I went over to the dining table, flicked open my laptop and turned it on, waiting for the operating system to load. Once loaded i went straight to my e-mails. There it was.
1 new message. 7.37am. 15th June 2009. Joan Laporta.
I stopped before biting into my egg after seeing this. In the pure shock and anticipation the egg slowly slipped off my fork planting itself on the floor. I paid no attention. I open the e-mail;
'Tito,
I'm very pleased to inform you that we have decided to choose you as our replacement for Pep as manager of F.c Barcelona. After working under Pep we believe that it is benefitial for the players to continue to work with you and a similar method to that of Pep's which gained the best from the current group of players. Get over the ground A.S.A.P so that we can discuss personal terms and budgets.
Many regards,
Joan.'
What had just happened? Had I really been chosen as the replacement? I quickly ran for the shower and put on my Barcelona tracksuit. I proudly acknowledged the club's crest before also looking at my own initials. This was it. Time to step out of the shadows of Pep.
I arrived at the Camp Nou. It was marvellous to behold. 98,000 capacity. The fans soon to be chanting my name. This thought brought a huge smile to my face. I began to walk up the stars to the main entrance to the reception. I walked through many corridors before arriving at Joan's office. He was sitting with numerous sheets of papers on his desk whilst looking out onto the historic Camp Nou pitch.
'Tito, come in!'
Talks began. And ended. We came to the agreement to as this was my first manager role, a 2 year deal would be best for both parties. Joan offered me 33,500 a week in wages, which of course, i accepted. We organised that there would be a budget of £13.5million to spend, unless stated otherwise.We shook hands and I left the Camp Nou a very happy man. I straight away dived into the business side of things and got onto the phone to one player's agent as soon as i could.
'Hola?'
'Hola, is this Senior Hectór?'
'Sí, this is him, who is calling?
'Tito Vilanova, the new manager of Barcelona, I am calling about the availability of one of the players you represent...'
'Ok, and who may this be?'
'David Villa'
Negotiations went from there. After Hectór assured me of the availability of David I got onto the phone to Valencia and their representatives. a fee of £34.5million was arranged. I though wanted to speak to David in person. We arranged a meeting to discuss terms.
David came to the Camp Nou for jis meeting where he successfully passed a medical. Following this we began the serious negotiations. David asked for £105,000 a week for 5 years and demanded £3.2million to help himself and his wife and 2 children settle into Barcelona. I deemed this and as no problem and extended a hand to the deadliest striker in Spain. Everybody knew what he was capable of and i had now signed him for my team. As i wasn't looking to play a 4-3-3 like Pep i needed extra firepower in order to play next to Zlaten. Who better than my country's tailesman.
We held a huge fan day and welcomed all supporters to the arrival of David Villa to Barcelona. 23,000 turned up and watched the Spainard pull on the famous Catalan jersey.
View attachment 73079
View attachment 73079
I looked now to the beginning of the season, and starting with a bang.
