Mascherano: Vilanova will continue Guardiola's legacy at Barcelona

Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano believes that Tito Vilanova will succeed at the helm of the Catalan giants.

While the versatile Argentine admits that Pep Guardiola left behind a grand legacy at Barca, Mascherano says that Vilanova has learned a lot working with the revered head coach.

"I think that obviously the person who's responsible for this is [Pep] Guardiola. But, behind Guardiola you have people doing a great job like Tito [Vilanova]," Mascherano said at the World Soccer Masters press conference.

"Now he gets to take over the team and what they've done over the past four years keeps going for a longer time."

Guardiola announced his decision to resign from the Blaugrana in the summer after Chelsea's shocking win over the club in the Champions League semi-finals. Under Guardiola's guidance, Barcelona has won 14 trophies including two Champions League titles during his four years at the club.

Vilanova will have a difficult task of winning over a dressing room that is very loyal to Guardiola but so far the team appears to be unified in their support of Guardiola's former assistant.