Tito Vilanova: Barcelona's Former Boss Remembered At Service

 

Former Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has been remembered at a ceremony following his death at the age of 45, with the club's players in attendance.

The entire first-team squad, along with Vilanova's family and figures from the world of football, attended the ceremony at Barcelona Cathedral.
Vilanova, who guided the Catalan club to the Spanish title in 2013, died on Friday after a battle with cancer.
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu paid tribute to "a very loved person".
A host of former club presidents, including Joan Laporta and Sandro Rosell were at the cathedral, with other clubs from La Liga sending delegations to pay their respects.
Real Madrid were represented by officials including former striker Emilio Butragueno, while president Joan Collet attended on behalf of local rivals Espanyol.
Over 50,000 people have attended a remembrance space  that Barcelona have created at the Nou Camp.
The former Barca youth-team player was Pep Guardiola's assistant manager for four successful years, before succeeding him in 2012.
Vilanova, who had a tumour removed from his throat in November 2011, suffered a relapse in December 2012. He returned to his job in March 2013 in time to see them win the title, but resigned that July to continue his treatment.

Barcelona's players paid their respects to the man who guided them to the league title in 2013

Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba attended the ceremony at Barcelona Cathedral

Lionel Messi wrote he "would always remember" Vilanova on his Facebook page and looked visibly upset at the service

Archbishop Lluis Martinez Sistach speaks to Vilanova's wife, Montse, and son, Adria, who plays at Barcelona's academy 

Source:bbc.co.uk