Vilanova: I expected more from Pep

Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2013 by Goal.com

The Barcelona boss has revealed his disappointment at the conduct of his former colleague at Camp Nou as he recovered from a cancer relapse in New York

Tito Vilanova has taken a swipe at Pep Guardiola, claiming he "expected more" from him during his recovery from surgery last season.

The Barcelona boss underwent treatment in New York for a cancer relapse towards the end of 2012, and although Guardiola visited him during his time in America, the 44-year-old has revealed he did not see his former Blaugrana colleague in the months after his surgery.

"When I was in New York, Pep visited me for two days," Vilanova told a press conference on Tuesday.

"He is my friend and I needed him and he was not there. But after the surgery and during the two months recovery period he did not visit me any more. I expected more from him. I would have acted differently."

Vilanova's illness has proved a source of tension between Barcelona and the current Bayern Munich boss in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, Guardiola accused Blaugrana president Sandro Rosell of using his old No.2's health problems to undermine him, prompting the club to hit back at the former Camp Nou favourite.