Barca begin coach search

20 July 2013 09:02

Barcelona are set to appoint their new coach at the start of next week after Tito Vilanova had to step down for health reasons.

The Catalan club confirmed on Friday night that Vilanova would not be able to continue in the role as he continues to receive treatment for cancer.

Vilanova, who replaced Pep Guardiola as coach of Barca last summer, had a tumour removed from his throat in late 2011, but suffered a relapse a year later. He underwent another operation on his parotid gland in December before beginning a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York.

Club president Sandro Rosell announced the news at a press conference, which was held with members of Barcelona's first team in attendance.

A successor will be appointed in the coming days.

"In next few days the vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta will present the new coach, probably at the start of next week," Rosell said.

Rosell said the results of tests Vilanova underwent this week prompted his decision.

He said: "After evaluating the results of the routine follow-up tests, taken by Tito Vilanova this week, he has been presented the option of being able to undergo a treatment to continue managing his illness which will be incompatible with him being the head coach of the first team from now on.

"I want to ask everyone, especially the media, for him and his family, for the utmost respect for the privacy of all in this process which starts from today."

He added: "It's a tough blow but Barca have suffered many blows and we've got through them."

Source: PA