By Andrew Warshaw
December 20 – Messages of support are flooding in from around the world after Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova stepped down temporarily because of a cancer recurrence.
The 44-year-old, who had a cancerous tumour removed from his throat in November 2011, will have six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Assistant coach Jordi Roura will take charge of the team in the meantime.
“Tito is strong, very strong – he’s shown us that and we’re convinced that he’ll be back with us soon,” said Barça President Sandro Rosell.
“We have complete confidence in the team.
“The club is very strong and very united, we’re capable of overcoming adversity.”
Vilanova (pictured top) was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at the Nou Camp before being given the job last June when Guardiola decided to take a sabbatical from the game.
The La Liga leaders are nine points clear of second-placed Atlético Madrid after 15 victories in their 16 matches.
The shock news about Vilanova’s setback wiped Lionel Messi’s contract extension until 2018 off local news channels.
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