Vilanova, Roura and Altimira: From La Masia residents to top coaches

The friendship between Tito Vilanova, Jordi Roura and Aureli Altimira goes back a long way. More than a quarter of a century before they came together to head the first team squad’s coaching staff, the three were all together at La Masia. They were part of a group including soon to become stars Pep Guardiola and Guillermo Amor. The class photo of the 1985/86 season has preserved for posterity the young faces of Vilanova, Roura and Altimira.

All three did well in the youth team and the reserves, but failed to make the leap to success in the first team. Roura came closest, but a serious knee injury dashed his hopes. Tito Vilanova, Jordi Roura and Aureli Altimira all played out their careers away from the Camp Nou and met up again at Figueras in the second division in 1992.

Now, years later the three young hopefuls are back at the Camp Nou as first team coach, assistant and fitness coach.