Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova died on Friday aged 45 after a long battle with throat cancer.
Vilanova succeeded Pep Guardiola at Barcelona and won the Spanish league title in 2012, his only season in charge.
Vilanova had undergone emergency surgery on Thursday at Clinica Quiron
in Barcelona as gastric complications arose, multiple news outlets in
Spain reported. The Catalan coach had dealt with cancer in his parotid
gland for more than two years.
Vilanova, 45, had been in the hospital since last Friday, according to Marca.
As word of Vilanova's worsening health spread on Thursday, a call for courage of "Anims Tito" went out across social media.
Weeks before the start of this season, Vilanova told players he would not be able to continue at the helm of the team.
"The doctors recommend that, with the treatments that I must follow
from now on, I cannot devote 100 percent to the tasks of head coach as
required by FC Barcelona. But I will continue to work closely for the
club that I love on other sporting tasks," he said at the time through a
statement.
Vilanova was Guardiola's assistant before being promoted to the top job
in 2012. In his one season in charge, Vilanova led Barca to their
fourth La Liga title in five years, becoming only the second team after
Real Madrid to reach the 100-point mark.
He had a tumour removed from his throat in late 2011, but suffered a
relapse a year later and took multiple trips to New York for treatment.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said via statement: "Tito
Vilanova, a human role model and a football icon. Thanks for everything
you have taught us. Rest in peace."
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho also issued this statement via the club's
Twitter account: "Tito Vilanova’s passing is a sad day for football,
for Barcelona and most importantly for his family and friends. On behalf
of everybody at Chelsea Football Club I send my deepest condolences at
this most difficult time."
Lionel Messi expressed his condolences on his Facebook page: "Very
difficult to forget you. We will always remember. All my love to Tito's
family."
Vilanova is survived by his wife, Montse Chaure, and two children. His son Adrian is currently in Barcelona's youth academy.
Tweet Follow @punshcomempower
50% off Hosting for your Website at GoDaddy.com!
It's a BIG Deal! $5.99* .COM from GoDaddy.com!
It's a BIG Deal! $5.99* .COM from GoDaddy.com!
Host a site without stress on namecheap eApps|YOUR APP HOSTING PROVIDER
Submit your Website
Free webmaster resources including SEO Tools, Computer Glossary, Templates Sign up to BIGTIMEBUX today!
0 comments:
Post a Comment