Former Barca coach loses fight with cancer

BARCELONA: Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova died on Friday at the age of 45 after a long fight with cancer, the club announced, plunging the sporting world into mourning.

Vilanova lost his battle with a cancer of the salivary gland that was diagnosed more than two years ago, forcing him to step down as Barcelona boss last July. "FC Barcelona is sad to inform that Francesc ´Tito´ Vilanova Bayo has passed away today at the age of 45," Barcelona said in a statement. "The death of our former coach came about this afternoon after he could not overcome the illness he had been fighting since 2011. The club wishes to express its deep condolences to his family, with whom we share this painful moment along with the club members, fans and the whole world of football and sport."

Vilanova´s funeral will take place on Monday, April 28, in Barcelona cathedral at 8:00 p.m. local time (1800GMT).

Barcelona said space will be opened at their Camp Nou stadium for those wanting to pay their respects over the next few days. Vilanova leaves behind his wife Montse Chaure-Vilanova and two children.

Tributes poured in from around the world of football to the man that played a huge role in one of the most successful eras in Barcelona´s history. "A difficult person to forget. We will always remember him. All my love to Tito´s family," Barcelona´s four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi wrote on his official Facebook page alongside a picture of him with Vilanova. (AFP)