Today is a very sad day for football (soccer). Tito Vilanova, former Barcelona coach, died after he lost his battle with throat cancer. He was 45. Vilanova had been twice diagnosed with parotid gland cancer. Back in November 2011, he had his first surgery to remove a malignant tumor. After that, it was thought that his condition was cured, until a little more than a year later, when he relapsed and underwent another surgery. After that second procedure, he had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment and step down from his duties to focus on his health and recovery.
Vilanova was admitted to the United Kingdom’s Chiron Clinic a week ago, when he felt some discomforts. He underwent emergency surgery and was kept hospitalized due to gastric complications. He was in critical condition, but that didn’t stop visits from friends and relatives. Here are 6 things to know about this great man, who lived for the sport he loved and made sure everything he did, reflected that passion and commitment.
1) Vilanova started as a football player when he was only 20 years old. He played for the senior club Barcelona B from 1988 to 1990. He later went to play in numerous Spanish divisions scoring 26 goals across 305 club appearances. He retired in 2001 after a short stint with UDA Gramenet in 2001.
2) However, that wasn’t the end of his football career. Instead of playing, he began his coaching career in 2003. He was in charge of FC Palafrugell of the Tercera División and suffering relegation to Primera Catalana.
3) After working as technical director at Terrassa FC, Vilanova was appointed assistant coach at Barcelona under Pep Guardiola.
4) Tito’s first season at the Camp Nou was the most successful in Barcelona’s history. The club won six major trophies, becoming the first team in Spain to win the domestic cup, league and European club titles in the same season.
5) On April 27, 2012, it was confirmed at a press conference that Guardiola was leaving the team. Barcelona announced that Vilanova would be his successor. He signed a two-year contract, and the team won its 22nd domestic championship and scored nearly 160 goals overall.
6) That success was stained with Vilanova’s relapse. As he underwent treatment, his assistant Jordi Roura had to take over as head coach. In March 2013, Vilanova returned to the bench. He resigned on July 19, 2013 stating that treatment and the status of a professional manager were not compatible.
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