Francesc Vilanova i Bayó, Tito Vilanova, has died at the age of 45 from the parotid gland cancer he had suffered since 2011.

The ex-manager had been admitted into a Barcelona hospital after a serious relapse of his illness. There, he underwent emergency surgery in an attempt to save his life. The ex-Barcelona manager was operated on due to a gastric complications.

Vilanova has been battling cancer of the throat since November 2011. The manager was forced to step down in the summer of 2013 after suffering a relapse of the disease. Tito Vilanova was replaced by Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.

Vilanova had a tumour removed from his parotid gland in November 2011, being treated by chemotherapy and radio therapy. He was appointed Barcelona manager at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.

Vilanova's Azulgrana side equaled the record points total set by Real Madrid the season before, reaching 100. He had become assistant manager to Pep Guardiola in 2008.