Rumours emerged on Friday that the 44-year-old, who took over from Pep
Guardiola prior to the 2012-13 season, was set to step down from his
role after suffering another setback in his battle against ill-health.
Club
president Sandro Rosell and director of football Andoni Zubizarreta
called a press conference at Camp Nou on Friday evening, where they
confirmed Vilanova must undergo further cancer treatment which would
make it "impossible" for him to continue in his role.
"After
looking at routine tests, there is [now] an option to continue treating
his disease which means it will be impossible for him to continue as
first-team coach of FC Barcelona," Rosell told reporters. "I want to ask
for the maximum respect for him and his family.
"We have got
together with all of the players and the coaching staff and we have
decided not to play tomorrow in Poland [in a friendly against Lechia
Gdansk].
"It is a very big blow, a huge blow. But Barcelona has overcome many obstacles in its history and this will be no exception."
The
Barcelona squad, including Lionel Messi, were present in the front two
rows of seats of the press conference as Rosell delivered the news.
Barca
won 32 out of 38 league games under Vilanova in 2012-13, lifting the
Primera Division title with a record-equalling points tally of 100, as
well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League for a record
sixth consecutive season.
Rosell also confirmed the club expect to announce his successor in the coming days.
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