( CNN ) -- Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova , who has been battling cancer , has died at the age of 45 . `` FC Barcelona is in immense mourning , '' the Spanish club said in a statement . `` Tito Vilanova has died at the age of 45 . May he rest in peace . '' Vilanova , who had first been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor of the throat in November 2011 , stepped down as Barcelona coach in July 2013 . He succeeded Pep Guardiola , who is now Bayern Munich coach , in June 2012 and led the Catalan giants to the Spanish La Liga title during his time in charge of the team . Following the announcement of Vilanova 's death , Barcelona said it would open an area of condolence in the main grandstand at its Nou Camp stadium . `` It will be open to anyone who wishes to express their sympathy and love for the late Tito Vilanova , '' the club added . `` The club wishes to express its most heartfelt sympathy to his family , who are being joined in these moments of mourning by FC Barcelona members and fans all around the world , as well as the rest of the footballing and sporting world . '' Barcelona also revealed plans for a religious memorial ceremony in the coming days . The club 's president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on this Twitter page : `` Tito Vilanova was a wonderful person , and will never be forgotten at FC Barcelona . Thank you for everything you taught us . Rest in peace . '' Barcelona player Cesc Fabregas paid tribute on his Facebook page saying he met Vilanova 14 years ago , adding : `` Thank you for always trusting me , to help me improve and overcome personal and professional obstacles . '' There have been also tributes from the global football community . Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos commented on Twitter that Vilanova was , `` An example of fighting and strength for all of us . RIP '' Vilanova 's appointment after Guardiola 's resignation came as something of a surprise to football experts . He was not well known outside Spain but was already a close member of the Barcelona family . He began his footballing career at the Catalan club , signing to the team 's junior ranks as a 15-year-old . Unable to break into the Barcelona first team , he left to pursue a career as a midfielder with seven clubs in his native Spain before ending his playing days with Gramenet in 2001 . A switch to management followed and Vilanova soon returned to the Nou Camp , eventually becoming Guardiola 's assistant coach in 2008 before being named as his successor . In tandem , the pair won three La Liga titles and two European Champions League crowns . Vilanova 's Barcelona team , which included star players such as Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta , started the 2012/2013 campaign brilliantly . But just months into his reign , Vilanova took a temporary absence to undergo surgery followed by a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York . He returned in March 2013 to lead Barcelona to the league title which they won 15 points ahead of rivals Real Madrid . Club captain Carles Puyol stepped aside to allow Vilanova and former Barca defender Eric Abidal , who had been diagnosed with a liver tumor , to lift the trophy . A relapse of his condition in July last year saw Vilanova resign as Barcelona coach . He was replaced by Gerardo Martino . The true potential of Vilanova 's tenure at Barcelona will now remain unknown . In pictures : People we lost in 2014 .
Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova dies at age of 45 . Vilanova diagnosed with a cancerous tumor of the throat in November 2011 . Appointed Barca coach in June 2012 . Led Catalan club to Spanish league title before stepping down in July 2013 .