Following a press conference in Barcelona on Friday night, Tito Vilanova has stepped down as manager of the Catalan giants.
Vilanova, 44, has suffered more health issues after battling throat cancer for several years.
He had only returned to manage Barca in March, after receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy in New York in January 2013.
Club president Sandro Rosell had this to say. “Vilanova needs further treatment which makes it impossible for him to continue as head coach.” And on Barcelona’s official website they said that Vilanova, “will not continue due to ongoing treatment of his illness.”
The club also confirmed that they will appoint a new manager next week.
Earlier in the day on Friday, a statement on the FCB’s website said that Rosell and Andoni Zubizarreta would hold a press conference at 7:30pm local time.
Speculation was rife that Vilanova would step down, and due to his ongoing health issues, sadly, it was the only real option.
Vilanova was Pep Guardiola’s assistant from 2008-2012, where he helped the club dominate Spanish and European soccer. When Guardiola stepped away from soccer, Vilanova provided a seamless transition and Barcelona continued to dominate under his stewardship.
Vilanova had a superb record as Barca manager, with a 71.67 percent win ratio across all competitions, only losing eight and winning 43 of his 60 games at the helm. He returned to the side in March after his treatment, leading Barca to the 2012-13 title.
However after his resignation, all thoughts will be with Vilanova and his family as he tries to regain his health away from soccer.
(MORE: Tito Vilanova released from hospital)
Guardiola’s former assistant coach first had a tumor removed from his throat back in November 2011. But he’s had several reoccurring issues since and the treatment he underwent in New York earlier this year hasn’t had the desired effect.
While all this news comes as Vilanova was entangled in an argument with his friend and Barcelona’s former head coach Guardiola in the past few days. Bayern Munich’s new manager has accused Barcelona of using his former assistant’s illness against him, as they stated Guardiola had not visited Vilanova whilst he was getting treatment in New York, despite Guardiola being in NYC on a year’s sabbatical.
Vilanova had this to say on the matter.
“He visited me once in New York when I’d just arrived, but during my recovery from the operation I was there for two months and I didn’t see him. He’s my friend and I needed him, but he wasn’t there for me. I would have done things differently. I won’t say anything else about this.”
So with Vilanova’s brief reign in charge at Barcelona over, people will be asking who the next man to take charge will be.
But it just doesn’t feel right to speculate on that after such a sad announcement.
All we can say is, get well soon Tito. We hope to see you back working in soccer in the very near future.
