MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 21:01:08| >> :120:13157:13157:

Tito Vilanova asks for privacy

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova asks the press for privacy as he continues to battle cancer, after having surgery in December to remove a tumour.

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has asked the media for privacy and admitted that his battle against cancer is far from over.

Vilanova had surgery last month to remove a tumour on a saliva gland but returned to the Barca dugout for Sunday's 4-0 La Liga win over Espanyol.

The Barca boss has thanked supporters and staff for their continued support but insisted that he will need a degree of privacy to deal with the illness.

He told reporters: "This is not over yet and there will be days that I can take training and others I can't but I want the media to realise that this illness is mine and it is private even if I am a public figure.

"I would like to thank everyone for their support. This club has had a lot of knocks in the last couple of years but I always want to take the positive approach. What has happened to me could have happened to anyone."

The 44-year-old has guided Barca to the top of La Liga in his first season in charge, with the Catalan giants currently nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid.

ID:62900: cacheID:62900:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1980:
Written by
Liam Power
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Tito Vilanova
Read Next:
Vilanova visits Barcelona squad
>
Read more about Tito Vilanova Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal167542827126
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Getafe173771114-316
16AlavesAlaves174491928-916
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!