Tito Vilanova : Genius In The Shadow

Tito Vilanova

"It was a day of considerable sadness for all fans of football and to recognise his personal and professional life. Barcelona went on to make the best-ever start to a La Liga season with 18 wins from 19 games but, in December 2012, Vilanova was diagnosed with cancer for the second time. It meant his assistant Jordi Roura had to take charge of the team on those occasions when he was undergoing treatment. At the end of the season Vilanova announced he was resigning to concentrate on his recovery from the illness."

Vilanova first became ill in November 2011, while an assistant to Guardiola, and took a leave of absence after undergoing surgery. The soft-spoken Vilanova returned and took over from Guardiola the next season, when he led Barcelona to the Spanish league title with a record-equalling 100 points. Vilanova had a second tumour removed in December 2012 and travelled to New York several times during the season to receive further treatment before returning to the sidelines. In April 2013 Vilanova said he felt fine and "had never thought about quitting". He finished the season before suddenly being forced to resign following a relapse in July.

"It is with sadness that Barcelona must announce that Francesc 'Tito' Vilanova has died today at the age of 45," the club said on their website. "The death of our former coach occurred this afternoon when he could not overcome this disease which he had battled since 2011."

Barca sports director Andoni Zubizarreta said the club would offer their support to Vilanova's family. “A great man has left us, a loving husband, father and a total Barcelona member," said Zubizarreta. ‘We have to give our support to the family of Tito. Barca also is his family and we will remember him forever."

The club's president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, said on Twitter: "Tito Vilanova was a wonderful person, and will never be forgotten at FC Barcelona. Thank you for everything you taught us. Rest in peace."

The Barça midfielder Cesc Fabregas paid an emotional tribute on his Facebook page. He wrote: "Tito, thank you for all you have given to football and Barça. Personally, I met you 14 years ago and I can say that there are very few people like you. Thank you for always trusting me to help me improve and overcome personal and professional obstacles. We will always keep a place for you in our hearts. Rest in peace Tito."

Mourinho, now Chelsea's manager, said on his club's Twitter account: "Tito Vilanova's passing is a sad day for football, for Barcelona and most importantly for his family and friends. On behalf of everybody at Chelsea Football Club I send my deepest condolences at this most difficult time."

On 17^th September 1968, vilanova was born in  Bellcaire d'Empordà, Girona, Catalonia. As a young player, Vilanova was at Barcelona's training academy from 1984-89 but never made it to the first team. Instead, he went on to play for clubs such as Celta Vigo and Mallorca before his career was cut short by a serious knee injury. Vilanova then went into coaching and got a job with Barcelona's cadets, tutoring players such as Gerard Piqué, Cesc Fábregas and Messi. Vilanova left to work as the sport director at third-division Terrassa before returning to Barcelona to take over the club's "Barça B" feeder team.

Vilanova started his coaching career in 2003–04, being in charge of Tercera División side FC Palafrugell and suffering relegation to Primera Catalana. After working as technical director at Terrassa FC he was appointed assistant manager at FC Barcelona B, under manager Pep Guardiola, with the club in the fourth level. In the summer of 2008, after leading the reserve side to promotion to Segunda División B, Vilanova and Guardiola were assigned to the Barcelona first team, replacing Dutch duo Frank Rijkaard and Johan Neeskens. His first season at the Camp Nou was the most successful in Barcelona's history, with the club winning six major trophies and becoming the first in Spain to win the Copa del Rey, league and UEFA Champions League titles (the treble) in the same season. As an assistant, Vilanova helped Guardiola propel Barcelona into their most successful period and transform a team led by Messi into one of the world's best ever. Barcelona won 14 of a possible 19 major trophies from 2008-12 under Guardiola before adding the league title with Vilanova in 2013.

As Guardiola's assistant, Vilanova provided the tactical know-how that helped the coach build one of the best teams in the history of the sport, winning two Champions League titles in their impressive haul. He may not be famed like guardiola but he is the real picture behind what Barcelona is today. The famous style of play tiki-taka that Barcelona had adopted during 2008-2012, dominated the world football with brilliant tactical idea showed by vilanova. The combination of team that includes some of football stars like messi, xavi, iniesta was so brillent that it developed a new era in football, the guardiola era and much of this credit goes to tito vilanova. He developed these players from la masia widely recognized as  youth academy of Barcelona when he was charge as a manager of Barcelona B Team.

Vilanova, you are a true architect, a designer of tiki- taka syatem, a model of Barcelona. Football world always remember you for make them loving football. Barcelona will always made you proud for what you are. Rest in peace – vilanona.

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