Tito Vilanova Dead

Francesc "Tito" Vilanova i Bayó (17 September 1968 – 25 April 2014) was a Spanish footballer who played as a central midfielder, and manager.

The ex-central midfielder was admitted to hospital on Thursday following a downturn in his health which required an operation on his stomach, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirming the trainer was "fighting" for his life.

However, Vilanova, whose post-playing career was plagued by cancer, passed away on Friday afternoon.

Vilanova's public health problems began during his final season as Pep Guardiola's assistant when he was diagnosed with cancer of the parotid gland.

He took over from his long-time friend for the 2012-13 season but suffered a relapse just six months into his tenure as head coach.


He underwent surgery in December 2012, with Jordi Roura taking his place on the bench while he recovered in New York, before returning in March 2013 to see out the rest of the reason and guide Barca to La Liga glory.

However, his continued health problems saw him step down as coach of the Catalans last summer, with Gerardo Martino taking the reins in his place.

Playing career

Born in Bellcaire d'Empordà, Girona, Catalonia, Vilanova emerged in the youth ranks of local FC Barcelona, but left the La Liga giants in 1990 unable to break through into the first team. His next club was also in his native region, UE Figueres, with the player helping the team to its best-ever Segunda División classification in the 1991–92 season (third place); the club would eventually face Cádiz CF in the promotion play-offs, losing 1–3 on aggregate.

 Subsequently Vilanova moved to the top level with Celta de Vigo, but appeared rarely over the course of three full seasons, returning to division two in 1995 and representing CD Badajoz, RCD Mallorca – contributing with ten games as the Balearic Islands side promoted to the top flight – UE Lleida and Elche CF, retiring in December 2001 with lowly UDA Gramenet in his native region.

During his time at Lleida, in a 1998 Copa Catalunya game against Barcelona, coached by José Mourinho who swapped responsibilities with head coach Louis van Gaal during the tournament, Vilanova scored a goal, becoming the first player to net against a team directed by the Portuguese.

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