The 42 year-old, who won 14 titles between 2008 and 2012 at Barcelona and took a year off in New York before joining the German side, exposed a deep rift between himself and Barca president Sandro Rosell's management team.
Speaking he says "This year there have been too many things that crossed the line, But using Tito's illness to damage me is something I will never forget," he
added, denying he had failed to see Vilanova while he was treated in New
York for salivary gland cancer.
"I saw Tito in New York and if we did not see each other on other occasions it
is because it was not possible, but not on my part."
Barcelona's vice-president, Jordi Cardoner, has since expressed his surprised
upon hearing of Guardiola's outburst and has denied the club made any such
claim. We have not used Tito's illness to go against him and whoever does such a
thing is a bad person," he told Mundo Deportivo in an interview
published today.
Guardiola, meanwhile, has himself denied claims that he told Neymar's father
that Vilanova would not know how to use both Neymar and Lionel Messi in the
same squad.
The new Bayern coach claims all he asked Barcelona's management to do was
leave him in peace when he left the club.
"The only thing I asked Rosell was to leave me in peace and they have not left
me in peace even from 6,000 kilometres away," Guardiola said. "They have not
done it, they have not lived up to their word."
Guardiola's quotes were splashed across the pages of Spain's sporting press.
"Guardiola dynamites Barca, " ran the front page of leading sports daily AS.
"Guardiola on the attack!" said Mundo Deportivo.