Football plunged into mourning as former Barca coach Vilanova passes

The football world was plunged into mourning today following the passing of Tito Vilanova, former coach of Barcelona. 

The football world was plunged into mourning today following the passing of Tito Vilanova, former coach of Barcelona. 

Vilanova who was assistant to Pep Guardiola and subsequently succeeded him at the start of the 2012/13 season spent just a few months in the job before taking a leave of absence due to the recurrence of throat cancer.

He returned briefly to take over the helm at the club once more, as they went on to defend the La Liga title, but was forced to call time on his managerial career in July of 2013 when the illness returned.

Barcelona said in a statement: “The club expresses their deepest condolences over the passing of Tito Vilanova, who died today in Barcelona at the age of 45.”

Tito’s son, Adrian is a part of the Barcelona youth academy.