Ronaround! Cristiano ready to force move

Posted Monday, December 24, 2012 by The Sun

Replace Tito? No way, Jose!

BARCELONA chief Jose Maria Bartomeu has explained why they NEVER considered replacing cancer-stricken boss Tito Vilanova.

Bartomeu, Barca’s vice-president, gave me an exclusive interview at UEFA HQ in Nyon after the Champions League draw.

He said: “Tito is part of the club. There are human relationships that have been built over years that go beyond the role each of us has at Barca.

“People grow up together and stay together emotionally. The first thing that comes to your head is your friend, not football.

“Tito was a player in our academy. He left, played for other clubs and returned to coach in our academy. Then he worked as the No 2 to Pep Guardiola and then became our manager.

“It didn’t cross our minds to replace him.

“It’s not about what happens to FC Barcelona, it’s about what happens to Tito. This club is about the people that live and work here — and the human values that we try to teach and keep alive.

“It is not about thinking in the short-term and what happens on the pitch.

“For us to have Tito strong and healthy is the most important thing.

“Football will take care of itself. There is a technical team to take care of the squad. The project will carry on because the philosophy remains the same.

“Barcelona is like a family, there are people who have a relationship with this club for life.”

Tito came out of hospital on Saturday night just as his charges won at Valladolid after sporting T-shirts with this message in Catalan: “Common sense, chest and b*lls”.

That is what Vilanova tells his players before matches. Think, puff out your chest with pride, and show courage.

Just like the Catalan club did in his case.

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