"Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has played down speculation that he might become the new Barcelona coach after Tito Vilanova's departure from the Catalan club for health reasons." (source: Daily Telegraph, according to the BBC Football website) The BBC's Football website also contains a link to a story entitled "We do Barca turn for Vilanova replacement?" next to a collage of photos of Mancini, Laudrup, and AVB. This follows the spectacular pincer-tapping-up of Bale by two of the biggest pimp-clubs in world football, Real and United. I really don't mind the speculation - we have some great talent at our club, and until we can match the expectations that that talent excites in both fans and the media, we are always going to have to face the prospect of that talent being prised away by bigger, arogant and greedy clubs. My prime complaint is that these stories are run without any grounding in fact and completely without any degree of balance. I mean, AVB to Barca... really? Sure, it's possible, in the sense that it's possible that Elephants might, one day, be able to fly, but any reasonably sane person will admit that it is unlikely. Is there anyone on this board prepared to run with this story and believe that AVB could be on his way to Barca? Or do we all see it as the vacuous bollocks for which t really is?
The beeb article does say that AVB is unlikely as he doesn't fit the mould. Swansea might b worried though
Not really its too early for Laurup to go there IMO , and I believe he's a man of his word and will stay at the swans for this season. But I can see him being a manager there someday.
Barca can always have Mancini - it would make the Spanish title race a little interesting this season, plus we'd have a chance of loaning Messi or Xavi in January...
You're surprised ? I can't really see it happening to be honest. Cruyff seems like the obvious choice, but would he want to go back there ? and there is some baggage to overcome also. But his style and experience would be ideal for Barca. Barca have obviously been preparing for this scenario as they are due to announce a replacement as early as next week, so it would seem that negotiations have been going on in the background. AVB, whilst he's a good young manager, would just represent too much of a risk for Barca in my opinion. I think they'll go for somebody tried and tested.
I would agree that Cruyff would be the obvious choice for Barca, after all, he brought the tika-taka style to Barca in the first place. However, the rift between him and Roselli is too wide to be bridged, IMO. Besides, Cruyff is far too arrogant to back down and try to make peace.
This was a most disgusting display by the UK press. All managers are going to be flattered by being linked to the Barca job. But to spring that on AVB with Vilanova being so ill, unacceptable. Someone like Cloughie would have bollocked the reporters into dying of shame.
Hardly disgusting, I think you're over dramatising. They are just speculating on who might replace him, after all somebody will so it's entirely appropriate to talk about it. I don't think it will be AVB though as he's not proved himself at the top level and Barca would see him as too much of a risk. What was disgusting was The Sun cashing in on Vilanova's illness to suggest that it would give Utd a 'boost' in trying to sign Fabregas. Now that is using a tragic situation to engineer a story.
Hasn't Vilanova left though? It's not like they were speculating on his ability to get well but on a vacant position, unless I've misunderstood the situation.
No sooner the man has vacated the post thru illness, then the vermin press are door-stepping the likes of AVB to try and ****-stir.
Surely it is the job of the media to speculate on who might take over though ? I don't think Vilanova's illness has been used in any disrespectful way here at all. You should take it as a compliment that AVB has been mentioned, I don't think he'll go, but it shows that the media think he's a quality manager.
Given Barca's last two appointments, I don't think that Villas-Boas' experience at the top level is really relevant. Both of them were promoted from within the club and Rijkaard had played for Barca. That's probably the most important reason why Villas-Boas won't be in the running. He has no connection. Luis Enrique or Frank de Boer would be better bets, in my opinion.
Managers are a lot harder to tap up than players, even for Barca. The one thing the Spurs job can offer which Barca can't is a challenge.
