Ex-Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova dies at age 45

Tragic news out of Spain on Friday:

Vilanova reportedly underwent emergency surgery on Thursday due to gastric complications that were triggered by the latest relapse of throat cancer, which he had battled for the previous 2 1/2 years.

After starting out as an assistant to Pep Guardiola in 2008, Vilanova took over as Barcelona's manager ahead of the 2012-13 campaign. In addition to a successful playing career that lasted over a decade, his football legacy will largely be defined by winning La Liga with Barca.