Tito Vilanova quits as Barcelona coach due to cancer relapse | inside World Soccer

Tito Vilanova quits as Barcelona coach due to cancer relapse

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Tito Vilanova stepped down from his post as Barcelona coach on Friday after learning that he had suffered a relapse of his throat cancer.

Tito Vilanova is now set to concentrate on fighting cancer for a second time this year
Tito Vilanova is now set to concentrate on fighting cancer for a second time this year

Photo: Getty Images

According to the newspaper La Vanguardia, Vilanova handed in his resignation on Friday morning after finding out about the deterioration of his health.

As a result of this upsetting news, Saturday's friendly against Lechia Gdańsk in Poland has been canceled.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell told a press conference: "I'm going to announce a piece of news that I would never have wished to announce.

"After evaluating the results of routine tests carried out on Tito Vilanova, he is to undergo a course of treatment that is incompatible with being our first-team coach this season.

"On behalf of Tito and his family, I wish to ask everyone to show the utmost respect for his privacy."

Vilanova, who only replaced Pep Guardiola 12 months ago, had previously had a tumor on his parotid gland removed in November 2011, but suffered a relapse a year later and was forced to have another surgery.

The 44-year-old spent some of last term in a New York hospital, overlooking training sessions using Skype at times to guide Barcelona to the La Liga title.

Tito Vilanova missed a large portion of last season after a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Tito Vilanova missed a large portion of last season after a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Photo: Getty Images

Rosell added: "Life goes on. This is obviously a hard blow to take, but Barça has overcome blows like this in the past and this will be no exception.

"I am asking you all to show understanding and to remember that we are talking about people, not just the club."

And there was an outpouring of support from the world of football and sport in general via Twitter offering their well wishes to Vilanova.

















Rosell also announced that a new coach will likely be announced early next week, suggesting Barcelona were prepared for this possibility.

Some names that are currently being linked with the post are André Villas-Boas, Michael Laudrup, Luis Enrique, and Frank de Boer.

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