FOOTBALL
The president told RAC 1 that he always knew that the FCB manager was the man for the job, although the amazing start to the season has surpassed all expectations
“I will be very glad if in a few years from now they are saying that contracting Tito was the right decision” he said
He added that the club won’t be selling anyone in the winter transfer window, that he has not heard that Valdés doesn’t want to renew his contract and that Abidal will have a federation licence before the 30th
Sandro Rosell was speaking on the Monday night radio show ‘Tu diràs’ on RAC 1’, where he explained that “this is a lovely moment to live and fantastic for all Barça fans … I knew we’d be top of the table, but not by so much. I knew that Tito would respond as he has, that Roura is a great assistant and that the players would be as hungry as ever”. On Vilanova in particular, he said that “perhaps he has come as surprise to the people that didn’t know him, but not for us, we already knew how he works and that he is the firm leader both in the dressing room and when dealing with the media”.
Rosell added that “I will be very glad if in a few years from now they are saying that contracting Tito was the right decision”. For the time being, it is difficult to argue against 55 points in 57 league matches.
Best and worst news
Looking back at the season so far, Rosell reckons that the manager’s illness “was the worst news of the season … But we should respect his privacy.” The best news has been the return of Abidal, who will be receiving a federation license before January 30. Commented the president: “he has set an example and displayed extraordinary mental strength. That’s nearly over and now that he’s back playing football, it is up to the coaches to decide whether he should play or not”.
Valdés and Barça
He was also asked about Victor Valdés, who has insinuated that he won’t be renewing his contract with FC Barcelona. “I don’t think that’s true” he said. “I have heard nothing about that and don’t think that’s what he thinks, but it’s a question he’ll have to answer himself … Valdés in one of that group of players who could end his career here, that’s what I think and hope he’ll do”. He added that the club is not looking for anybody to employ as a replacement for the current goalkeeper.
Villa, Neymar and Guardiola
It has also been suggested that Villa might be leaving the club in the summer. “He is just as untouchable as Messi, Thiago, Song or Jordi Alba”, said Rosell. “If I had to say whether he’d still be here next season, I’d say he would be”.
Rosell was also quizzed about Santos superstar Neymar, who has been linked to the Catalan club, with stories in the media claiming that FCB has already paid the first 10 million for the striker. Rosell said that “we sometimes go too far regarding transparency … He has a contract until the 2014 World Cup and then we’ll see. The members have always wanted to see the best in the world, whether that means this player or any other”.
Josep Guardiola has announced his imminent return to management. What if he were to come back to Barça as a rival manger? “It’s an odd image” said Rosell. “I think it would touch all of our hearts, but we’d understand, because he’s a professional and will always be a Barça man. But he’s young and is still able to be the best or one of the best managers in the world … However, in sporting terms, I wouldn’t like it one bit.”
Confident in Barça Regal
Rosell also expressed his support for Barça Regal and Xavi Pascual: “I am not worried about the reasons for what’s going wrong. Our basketball team has been winning for several years, we have a good coach who has renewed his contract for two years and we have engaged in a new project. We want to change the basketball structure and do what we are doing with football … Everything is there to be decided, and we can’t win every title every season”.