Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova admitted on Sunday that his cancer battle is not over and that he may be forced to once again step away from guiding the team's thrilling pursuit of La Liga title
The 44-year-old underwent surgery for a second time on a tumour on a saliva gland on December 20.
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He missed the away win over Valladolid but was back in the Camp Nou dugout on Sunday for the 4-0 derby victory over Espanyol.
Tito Vilanova
“This is not over yet and there will be days that I can take training and others when I can’t but I want the media to realise that this illness is mine and it is private even if I am a public figure,” said Vilanova.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their support. What has happened to me could have happened to anyone.”
Guardiola to return
Meanwhile, former Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola, currently on a one-year sabbatical, said yesterday he was already thinking about a return to coaching but stressed he didn’t know at which club.
“I want to coach,” said Guardiola, who left the Nou Camp last summer. I’m young, I’m only 41 years old. Now I have another type of life, a type of life that I wanted to have at this moment, that’s it.
“I don’t have a team to go to, but yes, I’d like to return to coaching. I have taken a decision to return to coaching but beyond that no decision has been taken.”
Guardiola left Barcelona after four years in charge in which he delivered 14 trophies, including two Champions League titles.u00a0
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