Barcelona released a statement to say the club was in “intense mourning” following the death of the coach who led them to the La Liga title less than 12 months ago. Vilanova had a tumour removed from his throat in November 2011, but suffered a relapse in December 2012, forcing him to step down as Barcelona coach in July last year in order to receive further treatment.

 The former Barcelona youth team player was promoted to one of the biggest jobs in European football in June 2012 after working as assistant to Pep Guardiola before he stepped down to take a break from management. His health issues came back to haunt him less than six months later and he travelled to America, spending 10 weeks in New York for intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Although he was strong enough to return to the Nou Camp in March to see Barcelona lift the La Liga title, he was forced to leave the club in the summer, with Gerardo Martino replacing him before the start of the season. 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.” Barca sent their “deepest condolences” to Vilanova’s family and said they would be opening a space in the main grandstand at the Nou Camp for people to express their condolences.