The Spanish international believes likening the new manager with his predecessor will add too much pressure on him, which will hinder him in fulfilling his new responsibilities.
Pep Guardiola announced after http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604’s defeat to Real Madrid at the Camp Nou that he will step down from the manager’s position at the end of the 2011/12 Spanish top flight season.
The 41-year-old’s assistant, Tito Vilanova, has been given the responsibility to step into his boss’ shoes, resulting in myriad of comparisons between the two.
When responding to questions on the subject, Andres Iniesta refused to get involved on the topic, stating that the debate favours no one.
Coming to the aid of his new head coach, the attacking midfielder opined that such comparisons will only add more pressure on Vilanova, something that he can live without at the start of his managerial career.
Continuing on the subject, Iniesta claimed that Barcelona will not change their footballing philosophy with a change of personnel on the bench, but admitted that Vilanova has his own way of doing things and will implement his ideas.
The pint-sized midfielder explained that every coach has his own way of working and Tito is no exception to the rule as he has a different personality from Pep Guardiola.
Iniesta remarked that even though Vilanova is different from the 14 titles winning Guardiola, they share traits after working together for a long time.
"It is not good for everyone to start comparing Tito with Pep," Iniesta said while talking to El Pais. "Let's start at the beginning, do the right thing by all and not put extra pressure on Tito.”
"There is no doubt that the philosophy will not change, but Tito has his ideas. He is a new coach who will want to apply his own method; his way of seeing things, working, conveying things.”
"In short, he is different from Pep. Pep has similarities with him as they worked together, side by side, but Tito is Tito and Pep is Pep."
Guardiola finished his reign at the Camp Nou in the same manner he started it as he won the Copa Del Rey title against Athletic Bilbao. Vilanova will not have to wait for his shot at title success, with a match against Real Madrid scheduled in late August
for Spanish Super Cup honours.
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