Vilanova to sign two-year deal with Barca

Press reports in Spain yesterday revealed that Tito Vilanova has agreed a two-year deal as coach of Barcelona and could be officially presented to the media tomorrow. “Tito Vilanova will be coach of Barcelona for the next two seasons,” the Catalonia-based sports daily El Mundo Deportivo reported. The daily added that “the club and Vilanova’s representative Josep Maria Orobitg have reached a definitive agreement and only the signature is now required.” Vilanova has been in contract talks with Barcelona ever since the April 27 announcement that he would replace the departing Pep Guardiola in the dugout. Madrid-based sports daily Marca added that “the new coach of Barcelona will earn 7 million euros ($8.8m) a year gross,” and reported that his unveiling could take place tomorrow. In April, Guardiola confirmed that he was stepping down after four trophy-laden years in charge. “Four years, time wears you down, I have nothing left in the tank and I need to fill myself up again,” he said at a press conference at the time. Barcelona president Sandro Rosell revealed the same day that Vilanova would step up from his role as Guardiola’s assistant as the club seek to maintain continuity. Vilanova, 42, played only briefly as a professional in Spain’s top flight, notably with Celta Vigo, before turning to coaching at the end of his career and finding his way back to the club of his youth.