TITO VILANOVA is set to step down as Barcelona boss after suffering a suspected relapse of a tumour he had removed last year.
The 44-year-old Spaniard had emergency surgery last November to remove the growth on his parotid gland — the largest of the human salivary glands.
But the tumour is now thought to have returned and the Catalan giants are searching for a temporary replacement manager.
Vilanova replaced Pep Guardiola in the Barca hotseat last summer and has taken them nine points clear at the top of La Liga.
The club released a statement this morning announcing they had suspended all media activities for today but did not go into details.
They confirmed a further announcement would be made later today.
The statement read: “Barcelona announce that it is has suspended the press conference from president Sandro Rosell planned for midday. As well as that, the media Christmas lunch has been cancelled.
“Later today the club will issue a further release. Until that time we will not make any announcement about this matter.
“We regret any inconvenience this decision may cause.”
The Sun
