Former Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has passed away aged 45 after losing his battle with throat cancer.
He was taken to the emergency room on Thursday for surgery after being admitted last week when his health worsened.
Vilanova had been battling cancer of the throat since November 2011 and Radio Nacional says there have been gastric complications.
Legend: Tito Vilanova has passed away at the age of 45 after losing his battle with throat cancer
Upset: Vilanova stepped down as manager at the start of this season and Gerardo Martino took over
The Catalan giants tweeted the news: 'The FC Barcelona is in immense mourning. Tito Vilanova has died at the age of 45. May he rest in peace.'
He had been visited at the Chiron Clinic by friends and family.
The manager was forced to step down in the summer of 2013 after suffering a relapse of the disease.
Winner: Vilanova (left) and Eric Abidal (right) lift the La Liga trophy together in 2013
His team won the title last season but Jordi Roura coached Barcelona for two months when Vilanova travelled to New York for cancer treatment.
The 45-year-old was replaced by Tata Martino last summer.
Barca president Jose Maria Bartomeu tweeted: ‘Tito Vilanova was a wonderful person, and will never be forgotten at FC Barcelona. Thank you for everything you taught us. Rest in peace’.
Gone, but not forgotten: Barcelona have said the club is in 'immense mourning'
Learning from the best: Vilanova (left) was assistant to Pep Guardiola during his time in the hotseat at Barca
Vilanova had a tumour removed from his parotid gland in November 2011, being treated by chemotherapy and radio therapy.
He was appointed Barcelona manager at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.
Vilanova's Blaugrana side equaled the record points total set by Real Madrid the season before, reaching 100.
He had become assistant manager to Pep Guardiola in 2008.
Vilanova's farewell to Barcelona fans after stepping down as manager last season
Thank you Barca, thank you everyone
After five marvelous years forming part of a team that has made what any manager dreams of come true, the time has come to face a change in my professional career in order to put my strength and energy into continuing the process of the illness that was diagnosed a year and a half ago.
The treatments that I am going to have to undergo from now on does not make it recommendable, in the doctors’ opinion, for me to dedicate one hundred per cent of my effort to being the first team manager of a team as demanding as FC Barcelona, but I shall be staying close by and will be continuing to work for the Club that I love so much in other jobs in the sports area.
It is not easy to leave such a special group of people, the players, my fellow staff and friends with whom I have shared so many unforgettable experiences. I am eternally grateful for everything that they have given and shown to me.
The human and footballing qualities of this team can overcome any obstacle and I am convinced that they will be able to use that capacity to face the new sporting challenges of a season that everybody has such high hopes for.
I would also like to especially thank the president, the whole of the Board of Directors, and the director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta for all the trust they have put into me and especially for their unconditional support, both sporting and personal.
Just as important to me has been the human and medical support of Doctor Ramon Canal and his team, who have been by my side. I know that I am not playing this match alone, but I form part of a Club that will help me get through this long process, as it has done until now.
To you, the Barca members and supporters, I also want to say thank you for all the shows of support and affection that you have sent me, not just now but all these last months. I can tell you that that I feel calm and strong, and I am facing this new stage of the process in the full confidence that it will all go well.
Thank you very much too to all the football fans, fellow professionals, clubs, athletes and people that I do and do not know for all the messages of support that have brought so much comfort to me and my family.
These are difficult times for my loved ones and that’s why I am asking for respect and understanding from the media. Now that I am no longer Barca manager, I hope to enjoy the peace and privacy that both me and my family need at a time like this.
I couldn’t finish this letter without wishing lots of luck and every success to the new manager of the best team in the world.
Thank you everybody.
Tito Vilanova
Catalan: Vilanova was appointed Barca manager at the end of the 2011-2012 campaign
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho paid his respects to the former Barca using the west London club's official Twitter account.
He said: '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.'
England coach Roy Hodgson added his condolences.
He said on the Football Association Twitter feed: 'It's deeply saddening to hear of the passing of Tito Vilanova. My thoughts and sympathies go to his family at this very difficult time.'
Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea added: 'A very sad day, Tito Vilanova has left us but his fighting remains as an example. RIP great hug to all his family.'
Florentino Perez, the Madrid president, paid tribute to Vilanova on behalf of Barca's great rivals.
He said in a statement: 'I want to express my deep sorrow at the death of Tito Vilanova and transmit, on behalf of Real Madrid, our condolences, love and support to his family, to FC Barcelona and most especially his wife and children.
'Today is a day of great sadness for all football fans and recognition of his personal and professional career. '
TITO VILANOVA FACTFILE
1968: Born September 17 in Bellcaire d'Emporda, a Catalonian village.
1988: Comes through the Barcelona youth set-up along with fellow midfielder Pep Guardiola, but cannot break into the first team, playing for two years at Barcelona B.
1990: Joins lower-league Figueres.
1992: Moves to Primera Division Celta Vigo, but fails to hold down a first-team place.
1995: Leaves Celta.
2002: Retires from playing after short spells in the lower leagues with Badajoz, Real Mallorca, Lleida, Elche and finally Gramenet.
2007: After working as technical director at Tarrassa, Vilanova becomes Guardiola's assistant at Barcelona B. The pair help the team to promotion to Segunda Division B.
2008: June - Guardiola takes over as coach of Barcelona and Vilanova comes with him as his assistant. The pair win the league, cup and Champions League in the first season in charge. Two more league titles, another Champions League crown and two Club World Cups follow.
2011: November 22 - Undergoes surgery on his parotid salivary gland in Barcelona and spends three weeks recovering after being discharged.
2012: April 27 - Appointed new Barcelona head coach, after Guardiola announces he will not renew his contract.
June 15 - Vilanova signs a two-year contract.
December 19 - Barcelona announce Vilanova will have surgery on the parotid gland for a second time and faces approximately six weeks of chemotherapy after the return of his cancer.
2013: March 26 - After undergoing 10 weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in New York, Vilanova returns to Barcelona.
April 6 - Returns to the Nou Camp touchline for the first time in a 5-0 home victory over Real Mallorca.
April 26 - Speaks to the media for the first time since his treatment, saying: "I feel with desire and with strength I want to continue next season."
May 11 - Barcelona clinch their 22nd Primera Division title as rivals Real Madrid are held to a draw by Espanyol.
July 19 - Barcelona announce Vilanova is stepping down to continue his treatment for cancer.
2014: April 25 - Barcelona announce Vilanova's death, at the age of 45.
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