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The ex-Barcelona coach was hospitalised
following a drastic downturn in his health
which required emergency surgery, but was
tragically unable to survive his battle with
cancer.
Former Barcelona coach Tito
Vilanova has died at the age of
45 after losing his battle with
cancer, the club have
confirmed.
The ex-central midfielder was
admitted to hospital on
Thursday following a downturn in his health which
required an operation on his stomach on Thursday, with
club president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirming the
trainer was "fighting" for his life.
However, Vilanova, whose post-playing career has been
tragically plagued by cancer, was unable to battle any
longer and passed away on Friday afternoon.
Vilanova's public health problems began during his final
season as Pep Guardiola's assistant when he was
diagnosed with cancer of the parotid gland.
He took over from his long-time friend for the 2012-13
season but suffered a relapse just six months into his
tenure as head coach.
He underwent surgery in December 2012, with Jordi
Roura taking his place on the bench while he recovered in
New York, before returning in March 2013 to see out the
rest of the reason and guide Barca to La Liga victory.
However, his continued health problems saw his step
down as coach of the Catalans last summer, with Gerardo
Martino taking the reins in his place.
Vilanova has largely - and understandably - been out of
the spotlight since he left his position at Camp Nou but
rumours of his ill health have sadly been revealed to be
true. He is survived by a wife and two children.
Following confirmation of his death, Barcelona president
Bartomeu said in a statement: "Tito will be reference as a
man and in terms of football for Barcelona forever. We
thank him for everything he taught us. Rest in peace."
The Catalans, whom he worked under for years before
being promoted from within to head coach in 2012, also
sent their condolences to the family of Vilanova.
"The club wishes to express its most heartfelt sympathy to
his family, who are being joined in these moments of
mourning by Barcelona members and fans all around the
world, as well as the rest of the footballing and sporting
world.
"The Vilanova family has asked for respect for their desire
for the strictest intimacy in the moments after his death."
following a drastic downturn in his health
which required emergency surgery, but was
tragically unable to survive his battle with
cancer.
Former Barcelona coach Tito
Vilanova has died at the age of
45 after losing his battle with
cancer, the club have
confirmed.
The ex-central midfielder was
admitted to hospital on
Thursday following a downturn in his health which
required an operation on his stomach on Thursday, with
club president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirming the
trainer was "fighting" for his life.
However, Vilanova, whose post-playing career has been
tragically plagued by cancer, was unable to battle any
longer and passed away on Friday afternoon.
Vilanova's public health problems began during his final
season as Pep Guardiola's assistant when he was
diagnosed with cancer of the parotid gland.
He took over from his long-time friend for the 2012-13
season but suffered a relapse just six months into his
tenure as head coach.
He underwent surgery in December 2012, with Jordi
Roura taking his place on the bench while he recovered in
New York, before returning in March 2013 to see out the
rest of the reason and guide Barca to La Liga victory.
However, his continued health problems saw his step
down as coach of the Catalans last summer, with Gerardo
Martino taking the reins in his place.
Vilanova has largely - and understandably - been out of
the spotlight since he left his position at Camp Nou but
rumours of his ill health have sadly been revealed to be
true. He is survived by a wife and two children.
Following confirmation of his death, Barcelona president
Bartomeu said in a statement: "Tito will be reference as a
man and in terms of football for Barcelona forever. We
thank him for everything he taught us. Rest in peace."
The Catalans, whom he worked under for years before
being promoted from within to head coach in 2012, also
sent their condolences to the family of Vilanova.
"The club wishes to express its most heartfelt sympathy to
his family, who are being joined in these moments of
mourning by Barcelona members and fans all around the
world, as well as the rest of the footballing and sporting
world.
"The Vilanova family has asked for respect for their desire
for the strictest intimacy in the moments after his death."
