Barça coach Vilanova suffers cancer relapse

FC Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has suffered a recurrence of the cancer of the parotid salivary gland that caused him to undergo surgery in November 2011, club sources confirmed on Wednesday.

Vilanova’s relapse was detected during a routine check-up at the Vall d’Hebron hospital in Barcelona on Tuesday. He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Thursday. A successful operation for the same affliction was carried out last year. Vilanova is expected to be in hospital for three or four days and will then undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

No statement on Vilanova’s continuance as manager of the league leader has been made by the club. Assistant coach Jordi Roura will take charge of the team on its visit to Valladolid at the weekend, the club’s final match of the year before the winter break.

In a statement on Barcelona’s official website the club said its traditional Christmas lunch with the media had been canceled, as well as an employee’s dinner, all personal player interviews and a scheduled press conference by club president Sandro Rosell.

“What is important today isn’t so important tomorrow. Nothing is so important, nothing,” Vilanova said in an interview for a charity cancer fundraiser on regional broadcaster TV3 on Sunday when asked about his state of health.

I don’t know if I would have been able to put up with what my family had to"

Vilanova, 44, reflected on the effect on his family of his first 10-month struggle with cancer.

“I don’t know if I would have been able to put up with what my family had to; I don’t know if I would have been able to stand it as they did if one of them had been the patient. I just don’t know,” he said.

“One thing I can say is that when something like this happens, you need the people around you more than ever. They cannot fail you and it is a time when we need to pull together and unite. It is important that the patient feels supported by his family. And I always felt this way.”

Vilanova, who has two children aged 14 and 17, took over at Barcelona following the departure of Pep Guardiola at the end of last season. In his six months in charge he has overseen a record-breaking first half of the 2012-13 season, during which his side has gone unbeaten in the league. He had previously worked as Guardiola’s assistant at both Barcelona B and during the former coach’s four years at the helm of the first team, during which time Barcelona won three Liga titles and two Champions League trophies.

Messages of support poured in for Vilanova on Wednesday afternoon. Real Madrid issued a statement on its official website: “Real Madrid CF wishes to express its heartfelt support to FC Barcelona coach, Tito Vilanova, to whom we wish a prompt recovery. Real Madrid CF extends this support to his club and family.”

Real players Sergio Ramos and Marcelo also wished Vilanova a swift recovery through social media.

“Thank you to everyone for their support,” Vilanova’s son, Adrià, responded. “You are all wonderful. Everything will be OK.”