Vilanova steps down for health reasons

[Big Sam]

Vilanova set to step down as Barcelona coach after tumor relapse

By ADAM SHERGOLD

PUBLISHED: 11:47 GMT, 19 December 2012 | UPDATED: 12:43 GMT, 19 December 2012

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova is set to step down from his post after suffering a relapse of a tumor he had removed last year.
The 44-year-old had a tumor on his parotid gland removed in emergency surgery last November when he was the club's assistant manager.
The parotid gland is the largest of the human salivary glands.
But during a recent medical check-up, it was found that the tumor had returned. He is reportedly undergoing emergency surgery in a Barcelona hospital at the moment.
It was announced in April that Vilanova would take over as Barca coach following Pep Guardiola's decision to step down at the end of the season and take a year-long sabbatical from the game.
Vilanova was Guardiola's assistant during four hugely successful years at the Nou Camp which saw Barca win 13 trophies, including two Champions League crowns and three Primera Division titles.
Vilanova has enjoyed a superb start to his tenure in the hotseat, helping Barca establish a nine-point lead at the top of the league standings after winning 15 of their opening 16 games while drawing the other.
Barca are also through to the knockout stages of the Champions League and hold a 2-0 first-leg lead over Cordoba in their Copa del Rey last-16 tie.
The club cancelled a scheduled press conference involving Club President Sandro Rosell on Wednesday as the news broke, as well as the staff Christmas party.
Barcelona have announced that no decision will be made on a potential replacement until Vilanova has spoken to the players.
The news broke on the same day defender Eric Abidal was given the all-clear to resume his playing career following a liver transplant.
Barca released a press statement this morning announcing they had suspended all activities for today but did not go into details and did not mention Vilanova.
The club confirmed a further announcement would be made later today.
The statement read: 'Barcelona announce that it is has suspended the press conference from president Sandro Rosell planned for midday. As well as that, the media Christmas lunch has been cancelled.
'Later today the club will issue a further release. Until that time we will not make any announcement about this matter.
'We regret any inconvenience this decision may cause.'

VILANOVA'S RECORD AT BARCELONA SO FAR
Pld 27 W 23 D 2 L 2 (85.18% win ratio)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...a-set-step-Barcelona-coach-tumor-relapse.html

A speedy recovery to him.

But this could really derail Barca's season. What odds Pep to return? He'll be under far less pressure than usual given the 13 point gap on Madrid and he's the only available coach who knows the system and players inside out.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Get Better Tito!

 

[Big Sam]

Spanish media are saying that given Barca has no really hard match until the UCL in Feb, an interim coach will be sufficient until Vilanova is ok to resume, assuming he recovers as quickly as he did last year.

I hope for Barca this is the case.

 

[Bulldog Force]

Holy crap! Get well soon Vilanova. This is very bad for him. Forget the season, Barca's got it in the bag... just hope he recovers well. Pep, this is your 2nd calling my man!

 

[Big Sam]

Looks like the poor bugger's had a reoccurrence. Expected to step down in a few hours.

Barça on the lookout for a new coach. Will they promote from within again? If they don't, Heynekes and Bielsa are probably the highest profile coaches available. Or do they go Dutch and look at someone like Koeman or De Boer who are well-versed in the ethos of the club (even though they're currently contracted)?

 

[Nevcost]

It's official he;s had to step down as coach of Barca

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-new...e-against-cancer/story-e6frfkp9-1226682329031

Thoughts go out to his family, hopefully he'll get through it and return to football.

I wouldn't be surprised if they appointed former coach Frank Rijkaard he know the systems and the ethos of the club pretty well and has already coached many of their current players. It would be a seamless transition and they wouldn't have to worry about compensation.

Another couple of coaches that are without clubs could be Marcelo Bielsa, Jupp Heynckes

 

[Tommy Smith]

Bielsa would be my choice.

 

[Twizzle]

http://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/barcelona/next-permanent-manager

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Rijkaard? Hmm. Barca were better in attack under him but their defence was woeful. Biesla would be the go IMO

I hope Villanova can fight off his health issues. Sad to see this happen to him again

 

[Twizzle]

Nice to see AVB slip from odds on to 33/1 after his statement.

 

[aqua_duck]

Looks like Guus has emerged as the new favourite after stepping down from Anzhi

 

[AusKnightRKO]

Not a bad pick.

 

[aqua_duck]

Hopefully he can tinker with the style and formation abit, also need some defensive reinforcements ASAP

 

[AusKnightRKO]

i was going to say, atleast he will sort that def out, if he fixed Australia's he can fix a team with endless cash.

 

[Big Sam]

Looks like it's Gerardo Martino.

They've gone for the wrong Newell's old boy IMO.

 

[Jimbo]

Potato would have been great choice...

 

[Big Sam]

Potato is attempting to screw up his 2nd Serie A club in 3 years.

 

[Jimbo]

Potato is attempting to screw up his 2nd Serie A club in 3 years.

Shut up Big Sam

Hiddink is Potato

Rafa is Rafa

And, of course, José is fantastic...

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

He just passed away at 45 years old. Incredibly tragic

RIP Tito Vilanova

http://m.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27159955

 

[Big Sam]

It is with immense sorrow that FC Barcelona announces that Francesc ‘Tito’ Vilanova i Bayo (Bellcaire d’Empordà, 17/09/1965-Barcelona, 25/04/2014) departed this world today at the age of 45. He passed away this afternoon after losing his battle against an illness that had affected him since 2011.

The Club wishes to express its most heartfelt sympathy to his family, who are being joined in these moments of mourning by FC Barcelona members and fans all around the world, as well as the rest of the footballing and sporting world.

The Vilanova family has asked for respect for their desire for the strictest intimacy in the moments after his death.

Over the next few hours, FC Barcelona will be opening a space in the main grandstand at the Camp Nou for people to express their condolences, which will be open to anyone who wishes to express their sympathy and love for the late Tito Vilanova.

The Club will shortly be announcing when this space is open, as well as details of the religious ceremony that will be held in the coming days.

http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/tito-vilanova-eternally-remembered

Desperately sad.

RIP Tito.