Fabregas endorses Vilanova

Cesc Fabregas has backed Barcelona’s decision to appoint Tito Vilanova as replacement for record-breaking head coach Pep Guardiola.

Former Barca player Guardiola announced his departure last month, bringing to a close a four-year spell in charge of the club, during which he became the most successful coach in Camp Nou history.

In a bid to ensure continuity in the dugout, Barca have installed Guardiola’s assistant Vilanova as a replacement.

“First of all, I must say that Tito is a very good person,” Fabregas told El Mundo Deportivo.

“It may sound like a cliche but it’s true – he is a winner.

“He also shares the same virtue with Pep in that he knows how to get the best out of players.

“I do not like to make predictions but Barca should look great with Tito.

“I like the continuity that is being given to the club, because this team has surpassed (Johan Cruyff’s) ‘Dream Team’ and all previous historical records, so that this opportunity has been given to Tito, after Pep has done it all, is very good.

“I know Tito will want to contribute his own personal touch. And I also know that he had an influence on my signing.”

Fabregas returned to Camp Nou in August 2011, rejoining the club he left for Arsenal eight years previously.

The Spain international made a blistering start to the season and, although his form tailed off somewhat toward the end of the campaign, was satisfied with his first year back in Catalonia.

“I played a lot more than people and I expected,” he said.

“It’s a bit surprising that some were saying ‘look, he does not play’, since I knew that I was coming into the best team ever.

“So, I sincerely believe that my first season has been good, although, inwardly, I’m the first to acknowledge that I can give more.

“Adapting to a new position was a difficult challenge and, if I play in the cup final, I will feel proud to say I’ve played 48 games, a figure that I did not reach for four years, though not because I didn’t want to, but because my injuries would allow me to.

“So, if you leave the last three months to one side, I feel good about how I’ve done.”

Fabregas is hoping to be included in the Barca starting line-up for their Copa del Rey final clash with Athletic at Estadio Vicente Calderon on May 25.