Former Barcelona manager Tito
Vilanova has passed away aged 45 after losing his battle with throat cancer.
He was taken to the
emergency room on Thursday for surgery after being admitted last week when his
health worsened.
Vilanova had been
battling cancer of the throat since November 2011 and Radio Nacional
says there have been gastric complications.
Upset: Vilanova stepped down as manager at the start of this season and Gerardo Martino took over
The
Catalan giants tweeted the news: 'The FC Barcelona is in immense
mourning. Tito Vilanova has died at the age of 45. May he rest in
peace.'
He had been visited at the Chiron Clinic by friends and family.
The manager was forced to step down in the summer of 2013 after suffering a relapse of the disease.
Winner: Vilanova (left) and Eric Abidal (right) lift the La Liga trophy together in 2013
His
team won the title last season but Jordi Roura coached Barcelona for
two months when Vilanova travelled to New York for cancer treatment.
The 45-year-old was replaced by Tata Martino last summer.
Barca
president Jose Maria Bartomeu tweeted: ‘Tito Vilanova was a wonderful
person, and will never be forgotten at FC Barcelona. Thank you for
everything you taught us. Rest in peace’.
Learning from the best: Vilanova (left) was assistant to Pep Guardiola during his time in the hotseat at Barca
Vilanova had a tumour removed from his parotid gland in November 2011, being treated by chemotherapy and radio therapy.
He was appointed Barcelona manager at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.
Vilanova's Blaugrana side equaled the record points total set by Real Madrid the season before, reaching 100.
He had become assistant manager to Pep Guardiola in 2008.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Post a comment here.