Francesc ‘Tito’ Vilanova i Bayó is a Spanish football coach, former footballer. In 2012, he was appointed head coach of FC Barcelona after working as an assistant coach. The Spaniard was born on September 17, 1969 in Bellcaire d'Empordà, Catalonia, Spain.
Tito began his football career as a player of the FC Barcelona youth team and eventually failed to join the first team. Later, in 1991, Vilanova joined UE Figueres and became a part of the team where he played the best season ever in the club history.
In 1992, the club reached the playoffs for a place in La Liga. In 1992, the Spaniard concluded a contract with Celta de Vigo to play for them in La Liga. After 1995 Tito played a series of matches for such football cubs as RCD Mallorca, CD Badajoz, UE Lleida and Elche CF.
In 2002, the Spaniard finished his career as a footballer at UDA Gramenet.
After a short period as technical director of Terrassa FC, in 2007, Tito became assistant coach in Barcelona B.
In 2008, Tito was offered to join the coaching staff of FC Barcelona after a winning season with Barcelona B (promotion to La Segunda B).
The first season was successful with regard to titles when the team set a new record in the club history. In the first 2 seasons the club won eight trophies out of possible nine and after the 2011/2012 season the Spaniard got the position of FC Barcelona head coach.
His only season at the helm of the club was a contrast one. Barcelona claimed the La Liga title with incredible 100 points but crashed to Bayern Munich 0-7 on aggregate in the Champions League semifinals. Tito Vilanova was haunted by cancer and had to take a treatment leave in the mid-season. His disease seemed to be over by the end of the season but several weeks to the start of the seaon 2013/2014 the manager was forced to resign and dedicate himself to struggling for his life.
Found a mistake? Highlight it with mouse and press CTRL + Enter. Thank you!
