FORMER BARCELONA MANAGER Tito Vilanova has died aged 45 following a fight against cancer.
Vilanova was diagnosed with cancer of the salivary gland more than two years ago and was forced to step down as Barcelona boss last July due to ongoing health problems.
“The death of our former coach came about this afternoon after he could not overcome the illness he had been fighting since 2011.
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“The club wishes to express its deep condolences to his family, with whom we share this painful moment along with the club members, fans and the whole world of football and sport.”
Barcelona also announced that a space will be opened at their Camp Nou stadium for those willing to pay their respects over the next few days.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Vilanova, who started his playing career in Barcelona’s youth system, was the assistant manager to Pep Guardiola at Barcelona B and then with the first team during a period of extraordinary success between 2008 and 2012.
Vilanova and Eric Abidal, who has also fought cancer, lift the La Liga trophy. CORDON / Press Association Images
CORDON / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who came up against Vilanova while he was manager at Real Madrid, was among the first to pay tribute.
“Tito Vilanova’s passing is a sad day for football, for Barcelona and most importantly for his family and friends,” Mourinho said.
“On behalf of everybody at Chelsea Football Club I send my deepest condolences at this most difficult time.”
Cancer is a disgusting disease, it doesn’t care what walk of life your from or how much money you have. God knows how many people have died today alone from it, the sooner the better someone comes up with a cure (and they will)
Just thinking the exact same thing man. Read on the sky sports morning papers roundup that he had suffered a reoccurrence this morning. Shocked to log in here and see that he’s passed away. Awful sad news
Very sad. Rest in peace. never had the opportunity to show his true talents after pep left due to his unfortunate illness. The football fraternity mourns your untimely passing tito.
So sad to read that, I thought he had “won” his battle with it, so shocking to read about his untimely death. Football is but a spec when you read things like this.
RIP
RIP Tito, he lost his brave fight to a horrible disease. Times like this put football into perspective. Sympathies to his family and also of Sandy Jardine of Rangers
The man who has brought soul to a once-soulless football project
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Sad news. Man just couldn’t beat that vile disease. Rip Tito
Makes you remember its just a game…. RIP Tito.
Spot on graham. Fought that bloody awful disease 3 times and couldn’t beat it. Very sad
Never a truer word spoken Graham. From a Real Madrid fan.
I really don’t know what relevance you being a Madrid fan ties in with a man losing his life… RIP TITO.
Graham’s comment regarding how it puts football rivalries into perspective.
Shocked by this news, RIP Tito
So young. So sad.RIP
R.I.P, achieved so much in such a short amount of time, too young…
Sad news.
Genuinely shocked. Always hoped he’d beat the disease and come back to management. Seemed like a genuinely nice man & coach. RIP
Dreadful sad news
Really sad news. RIP Tito
Far too young. Puts football as just a sport into perspective
RIP
A very brave and decent man by all accounts. Always upsetting to hear news like this – RIP.
Sad sad news. RIP
Sad day for football with Sandy Jardine passing too R.I.P
Cancer is a disgusting disease, it doesn’t care what walk of life your from or how much money you have. God knows how many people have died today alone from it, the sooner the better someone comes up with a cure (and they will)
I just read another article about him I can’t believe it rip
Just thinking the exact same thing man. Read on the sky sports morning papers roundup that he had suffered a reoccurrence this morning. Shocked to log in here and see that he’s passed away. Awful sad news
People think these guys are the luckiest in the world. At the end of the day their human like us. Only more gifted
I cant understand two things…
Red thumbs on a comment offering condolences…
And Chinese writing
Me neither. What is wrong with some folk on the internet!?
They’re Chinese?
Cancer needs to jog on
Jose Mourinho, summed it up perfectly.
Why are people red thumbing some RIP comments? Surely the trolls could have some sympathy for Tito. Anyways RIP Tito
Rest in Peace
Sad ne was, Rip Tito
Very sad. Rest in peace. never had the opportunity to show his true talents after pep left due to his unfortunate illness. The football fraternity mourns your untimely passing tito.
RIP Tito vilanova
Tito Rip, fue a la caseta en el cielo
Sad indeed. Young man.
Very sudden RIP
So sad to read that, I thought he had “won” his battle with it, so shocking to read about his untimely death. Football is but a spec when you read things like this.
RIP
And Mourinho contradicting himself again. Pokes Tito in the eye and now acts like they’re best friends? So shallow Mourinho, so shallow
Don’t be ridiculous, he paid his respects to someone he did battle with. Can guarantee he’ll feel the loss more than random folk on the net.
How old are you seriously ?
How is paying your respect to someone a contradiction? Get a grip on yourself.
Plonker.
RIP Tito.
Think before typing Jarrion, i’m sure Mourinho regrets it now more than ever
RIP Tito
RIP Tito
Class act. R.I P
I think he was very brave. RIP
RIP
RIP Tito, he lost his brave fight to a horrible disease. Times like this put football into perspective. Sympathies to his family and also of Sandy Jardine of Rangers
Very sad. That’s no age. RIP
RIP
I’m 29 years old, 16 years older… Makes you think of what its all about
Rip.