Tito Vilanova: Barcelona manager steps down through ill health

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Tito Vilanova

Tito Vilanova has stepped down as Barcelona manager to continue his treatment for cancer.

The 44-year-old had a tumour removed from his throat in November 2011 before suffering a relapse last year.

Vilanova had surgery in December 2012 and spent 10 weeks in New York to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy before returning in March to see his side

The club said that a new manager is expected to be announced next week.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell and director of football Andoni Zubizarreta announced the news at a brief media conference attended by the first-team squad.

Rossell said: "Tito Vilanova will continue treatment of his illness, he will not be able to continue as Barcelona's head manager.

"This is a very difficult blow to the club, but we have overcome many difficult setbacks."

Barca forward Lionel Messi has offered his support to Vilanova, writing on his Facebook page:external-link "Strength Tito! We are all with you in this fight!"

The Argentinian's club-mate Andres Iniesta added in the Spanish newspaper AS:external-link "Tito will once again win this terrible battle facing him. On behalf of the players and everyone, I send him all my love and support. At the end of the day, this is about a person, not a coach."

Barca's friendly with Polish club Lechia Gdansk on Saturday night has been cancelled.

Vilanova replaced Pep Guardiola as manager in June 2012, having previously worked as his assistant.

Reports in Spain suggest Joan Francesc Ferrer, known as Rubi, could replace Vilanova in a caretaker capacity.

He joined Barca's coaching staff last month as an assistant to Vilanova and Jordi Roura, who took charge of the first team when Vilanova was absent last season.

Rubi was head coach of Girona last term and led the club to the Segunda Division play-offs, where they lost to Almeria.

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260 comments

  • Best wishes for the success of future treatment and hopefully it will not be too long before your back to the Club

  • 233.
    AuntieLeft
    20th July 2013 - 17:37

    There is only one manager who can fit the bill for the prestigious job
    David Moyes.........
    Success written all over him........
    +++++
    I beg to disagree, it has to be Brendan, Barca already have copied the Liverpool style. Plus his brand new white teeth are tailor made for 1st his press conference

  • Football is irrelevant in situations like this. Thoughts are with you and your family Tito. Get well soon mate

  • He reminds me of a smaller, slimmer Tim Westwood.

  • Sad to see Tito step down - but what a job to walk into!

  • very sad news, all the best to tito and his family. hopefully he can return to Barcelona one day soon if not as coach but to any role of involvement

  • Big Ron is in with a shout.

  • #225. YNWA_LFC...
    There is a time and a place for everything, even your stupidity, but for now, kindly crawl back under your stone, if you can't show respect.

  • I will be praying for you Tito hopefully you can beat this horrible disease you have.

    Hope you have all the support you need to beat this.

  • I pray for u tito God almighty we see u through, and all the barcelona fans amen.

  • Great man. Never tried to play a character on the sidelines when in charge, knows himself and his capabilities. After all his hard work, it must have been terribly hard to walk away from arguably the greatest club football team of all time. Massive respect, all the best for the future, Tito!

  • 245. Stevie
    "@ 225 YNWA_LFC - I support Liverpool but you sicken me and I seriously doubt you support LFC.

    My uncle passed away due to cancer just 2 weeks back and we still are hurting. I sincerely hope Mr Villanova recovers and I'll pray for him and his family in what will be an incredibly tough time for them :("
    ---
    He's probably a troll. I'm sorry for your loses.

  • Condolences

  • @ 225 YNWA_LFC - I support Liverpool but you sicken me and I seriously doubt you support LFC.

    My uncle passed away due to cancer just 2 weeks back and we still are hurting. I sincerely hope Mr Villanova recovers and I'll pray for him and his family in what will be an incredibly tough time for them :(

  • They will appoint Brian Little!!!!

  • @241 I agree. Mancini could not handle a hot dinner at Man City, so god knows what sort of damage he would do to Barca. Put Messi as left back?

  • Tito is a great man, and early signs showed he was going to be a great manager, better even, maybe, than Pep. Let's hope he makes a full recovery soon.

    Alas, thoughts must turn to a successor. "Barca to appoint Mancini" is one of those headlines (like "Rooney to Barca") that gives us fans nightmares - no! Laudrup looks the best and obvious candidate, but a wild card might be Roberto Martinez.

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