FC Barcelona have passed on the news that former manager Tito Vilanova has lost his battle with cancer and has passed away at the age of 45. Tito Vilanova had a long career playing for many different clubs in Spain, with Celta, Barcelona B, Mallorca and Elche being just a few of the clubs he represented as a midfielder. After a 13 year long playing career, Tito entered into a management role two years later, taking over at Palafrugell, who he only managed for a year after being relegated in 2004.
He then had a three year break from management before being appointed as FC Barcelona B assistant manager under current Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola, which lasted a year until the Spanish duo then took over the first team at Barcelona. They had a successful four year spell, managing what some call one of the greatest teams to have ever existed, and winning many major trophies together.
In 2012, Pep Guardiola resigned as Barcelona’s manager and Tito Vilanova was handed the reigns. However, on 19 December, 2012, Barcelona announced that Vilanova was suffering from parotid gland cancer for the second time which led to his resignation at the end of the season due to his condition. He won the La Liga title in his only year managing the club, finishing above Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona’s president 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.”
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