![Tito Vilanova worked under Pep Guardiola as his assistant at Barcelona between 2008-2012. The pair helped transform the team into one of the greatest of all time, winning a whole host of trophies, including two Champions Leagues and three Spanish La Liga titles.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140425174705-vilanova-guardiola.jpg?q=w_3000,h_2217,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Tito Vilanova dies aged 45 —
Tito Vilanova worked under Pep Guardiola as his assistant at Barcelona between 2008-2012. The pair helped transform the team into one of the greatest of all time, winning a whole host of trophies, including two Champions Leagues and three Spanish La Liga titles.
![After Guardiola's departure, Vilanova took over the reins at Barca in 2012. He had to step down midway through the season to undergo surgery for cancer, but returned to the dugout to guide the club to the Spanish La Liga title.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/121219123552-tito-vilanova-barcelona.jpg?q=w_3701,h_2682,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Tito Vilanova dies aged 45 —
After Guardiola's departure, Vilanova took over the reins at Barca in 2012. He had to step down midway through the season to undergo surgery for cancer, but returned to the dugout to guide the club to the Spanish La Liga title.
![Vilanova and Eric Abidal, who had been diagnosed with a liver tumor, share the honors as they lift the trophy for Barca's 22nd league title.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140425190740-vilanova-trophy.jpg?q=w_4256,h_2832,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Tito Vilanova dies aged 45 —
Vilanova and Eric Abidal, who had been diagnosed with a liver tumor, share the honors as they lift the trophy for Barca's 22nd league title.
![Vilanova and his assistant Jordi Roura celebrate as Barcelona win La Liga with a total of 100 points - the highest total in the club's history.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140425191413-vilanova-parade.jpg?q=w_2718,h_3873,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Tito Vilanova dies aged 45 —
Vilanova and his assistant Jordi Roura celebrate as Barcelona win La Liga with a total of 100 points - the highest total in the club's history.
![Vilanova's battle against cancer inspired support from the sporting world. In this photograph Real Madrid players show their support before a league game in 2012.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140425192404-madrid-support.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1997,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Tito Vilanova dies aged 45 —
Vilanova's battle against cancer inspired support from the sporting world. In this photograph Real Madrid players show their support before a league game in 2012.
![Vilanova was still leading Barcelona's training in July 2013 but was forced to resign his position later that month because of his ill health. Gerardo Martino succeeded him as Barcelona manager.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/140425193723-vilanova-training.jpg?q=w_4256,h_2832,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Tito Vilanova dies aged 45 —
Vilanova was still leading Barcelona's training in July 2013 but was forced to resign his position later that month because of his ill health. Gerardo Martino succeeded him as Barcelona manager.
![Vilanova was admitted to hospital Thursday, before news of his death, aged 45, broke Friday 25th April, 2014.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130325165706-vilanova-return.jpg?q=w_3600,h_2805,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Tito Vilanova dies aged 45 —
Vilanova was admitted to hospital Thursday, before news of his death, aged 45, broke Friday 25th April, 2014.