The one-time Barcelona manager passed away today.
Tito Vilanova, the fine manager who led Barcelona to a league title in his one season managing Barcelona, has succumbed to parotid gland cancer and passed away today at age 45. Slated to start the 2013-2014 season as manager of the club, he stepped away shortly prior to the season’s beginning as he felt that he could not fulfill his duties while at the same time going through cancer treatment.
Vilanova, a Barca man through and through, came up through the Barca youth academy and played for their B team (among others). He eventually joined the club as an assistant coach in 2007 before getting his breakthrough as manager in the 2012-2013 season as he led his team to a marvelous domestic season and a deep run into the Champions League.