Vilanova to step down at Barcelona due to health concerns

Vilanova missed a large chunk of last season while he was receiving treatment for cancer and has decided to resign his position for health reasons. Assistant ‘Rubi’ Joan Francesc Ferrer, who managed Girona in the Segunda last season, has been rumored as his replacement on an interim basis, but Rosell said that he would not announce a replacement until next week.

In one year in charge Vilanova led Barcelona to their 22nd La Liga title, their fourth in five seasons. Vilanova was also awarded MARCA’s Miguel Muñoz Trophy as the manager of the year. He missed a large part of the middle of the season after suffering from parotid gland cancer for the second time.

We certainly don’t want to start jumping to conclusions but it’s hard not to be concerned about the possibility that Vilanova has another relapse in his fight against cancer. Hopefully this is not the case and there is another reason for his rumored departure.

We’ll have to wait and see but it will certainly be massive news if Vilanova decides to step down and leave Barcelona limited time to find and get a new head coach in place. Not that filling the top spot at Barca would be particularly tough in terms of applicants, but finding the right person to lead the team forward will be crucial. ‘Rubi’ Joan Francesc Ferrer is reportedly Vilanova’s temporary replacement, but his lack of experience makes him an unlikely long-term solution.