Tito Vilanova passes away

RIP

Very unfortunate for him, a real shame. Hope it is merely to regain full strength rather than any drastic recurrence of problems. 

Not sure who will take over. AVB is the early link. Frank De Boer touted by some, although has apparently been a recent critic of Neymar and the transfer to Barca.

I wondered if his illness would come into play.

I don't think it'll be AVB, I think it'll be Vilanova's assistant.

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/jordi-roura/aufeinenblick/trainer_16402.html

Former player, and been assistant for the last 12 months. And took over earlier this season when Vilanova was off sick.

I don't think Barca will hand Roura the job full time tbh. Indeed, I don't think hes even set to be the interim manager (no its not Rafa)

Klopp/Heynckes?

You'd expect it to be a promotion from within considering how well that has worked the last two times, even if only for a short while.

The man from within is supposedly Rubi who took charge of Girona last season.

Barca don't need wholesale changes, but they could use some freshening up.

cant see it being Klopp, could be Heynckes

Guardian reporting that Luis Enrique, who I have seen as a well educated guess from a few people in the past few nights, is lined up to replace Tito.
 
One of my favourite players as a kid, hope it goes well

The problem for me with Enrique, unlike Guardiola and Vilanova who were unproven at the top level, Enrique made the leap early and did not succeed, his time at Roma was not disastrous, but it certainly wasn't a success.

He has also only just taken over at Celta Vigo and so it seems a bit of bad faith to steal him from them immediately.

Saying that, it does make sense, I will be surprised if they select somebody not have Barcelona "upbringing", somebody like Hecknyks or Klopp would be adventurous but I'm not sure adventurous is what Barcelona will be looking for in this appointment.

Guus Hiddink has just resigned as Anzhi boss, speculation rife now that he is about to take over as Barcelona boss.

Would that not suggest some tapping up has taken place? Considering the replacement seemed to be already in place by the time Vilanova resigned.

Guus Hiddink's resigned from Anzhi, and he's seen as the favourite to replace Vilanova in some quarters now.

Would be an interesting appointment but doesn't exactly scream a long-term option or continuation of Barcelona values.

It's a little bit out of leftfield, as no-one was mentioning him. Interesting to see who comes out on top in the battle of the Chelsea old boys in Spain, if he is confirmed.

Possible Hiddink keeps the ship upright and Tito returns in a couple of years

Carlo vs Guus, very good battle

Some Paraguayan bloke

Gerardo Martino is new Barca manager

Barca don't follow suit when it comes picking managers do they.

Unfortunately it seems Vilanova suffered a relapse and was operated on

In a bad way, hope he pulls through

He has passed away today.

RIP

Life is far too short and far too cruel.

Rest in peace.

RIP thoughts with his family in this tough time.

  

R.I.P Tito Vilanova. Terrible news

  

Horrible horrible news, 45 is no age for a man, especially one with the talents he had

So sad

R.I.P

Devastating news. 

Cancer is a bi*ch

This is really sad considering by all accounts he could have been a fantastic manager.

The way he was going he'd go down as an all time great up with Fergie.

I wonder though. Does anyone think he'd still be alive if he retired during/after his first bout with the disease?

Kind of hoping Guardiola can win the Champions League now, hate the way Bayern are playing but no doubt it would be tributed to Vilanova.