Former Malaga director Mario Husillos insists the Argentine was the clear successor to Tito Vilanova and feels he will have no problems adapting to European football

Pellegrini prior to his move to Camp Nou, and believes the Argentine is without a doubt the correct choice to replace Tito Vilanova.



" I would be lying to you if I said I was surprised by his move to Barcelona. When it became clear that Vilanova could not continue it was his name that came to mind," Husillos told Marca.



"I thought he would be one of the clear candidates to replace Vilanova. I saw a lot of what he did at Newell's and I know where that club came from when he took over.



"He will continue the work already done, he won't fail his players. He can bring normality which is something that is not given enough press within the game.



"He is truly humble and people will respect him for that."



Doubts remain over whether Martino will be able to adapt swiftly to the European game having never coached outside South America in the past, but Husillos has dismissed any such anxieties.



"I have no doubts at all, he is very well prepared and you have to remember that he made things very difficult for Spain in the World Cup," he continued.



" Martino's sides respect the ball and play football and that is what made the difference in Argentina. His side played the best football and there was a marked difference with the rest of the sides.



"He is a winner with a specific way of playing and I think he has the ability to do well. He likes a passing style of football with emphasis on touch."



Barcelona begin the defence of their La Liga crown against Levante on Sunday.

