titles (the treble) in the same season. On 27 April 2012, at the press conference in which Barcelona confirmed Guardiola's departure, it was also announced that Vilanova would be his successor; on 15 June, he signed a two-year contract. The same year, Lionel Messi revealed that Vilanova was the first coach at the club to trust him, and made him a starter for their under-16 teams. Vilanova managed to field 11 academy graduates at the same time in a league game against Levante UD on 25 November 2012, after Dani Alves left with an injury early on and was replaced by Martín Montoya. His team went on to lose only eight competitive matches during the campaign, scoring at least once in every league fixture and winning their 22nd domestic championship by a record margin of 15 points, totalling 100 in the process. Health issues and death On 19 December 2012, Barcelona announced that Vilanova was suffering from parotid gland cancer for the second time. He was first diagnosed on 22 November of the previous year. Vilanova underwent surgery on 20 December 2012, subsequently being in chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for around six weeks. Assistant Jordi Roura took over as head coach, with Vilanova returning to the bench in late March 2013. On 19 July 2013, Vilanova resigned as Barcelona manager as he relapsed from his condition, stating that the related treatment was not compatible with the status of a professional manager. He died on 25 April 2014, due to complications from cancer, at the age of 45 after suffering a relapse the previous week. Personal life Vilanova was married to Montse Chaure. The couple had two children, daughter Carlota and son Adrià, with the latter also being involved in Barcelona's youth system. In 2013, while Vilanova was in New York City for his cancer treatment, Guardiola was also living in the city on a sabbatical. He was disappointed that Guardiola did not come to see him stating, "He's my friend and I needed him, but he wasn't there for me." Honours Manager La Liga: 2012–13 Individual Miguel Muñoz Trophy: 2012–13 Managerial record References External links 1968 births 2014 deaths People from Baix Empordà Sportspeople from the Province of Girona Spanish footballers Footballers from Catalonia Association football midfielders La Liga players Segunda División players Segunda División B players FC Barcelona C players FC Barcelona Atlètic players UE Figueres footballers RC Celta