Tragic news out of Spain on Friday:
The FC Barcelona is in immense mourning. Tito Vilanova has died at the age of 45. May he rest in peace
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 25, 2014
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.