Tito Vilanova asks for privacy

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.