Lionel Messi was among a host of sports stars to offer support and encouragement to Tito Vilanova following Friday night's announcement that the Barcelona coach was having to step down from his post with the Spanish champions for health reasons.
The Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell, confirmed at a press conference that Vilanova would not be continuing in the role as he requires further treatment for the throat cancer that was first diagnosed in late 2011.
Vilanova, who replaced Pep Guardiola as coach last summer, suffered a relapse last year and underwent a second operation in December before beginning a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York which saw him miss a number of matches in the second half of the 2012-13 season.
The 44-year-old returned to the bench as Barcelona won La Liga - becoming only the second team after Real Madrid to reach 100 points in the process - but it has now been confirmed he will not be returning for a second season in charge.
Famous names from the world of sport were keen to wish Vilanova the best in his battle following the announcement, including Messi. The Barcelona No10 wrote on his Facebook page: "Strength Tito! We are all with you in this fight!"
Messi's team-mate Andrés Iniesta added in AS: "Tito will once again win this terrible battle facing him. On behalf of the players and everyone, I send him all my love and support. At the end of the day, this is about a person, not a coach."
The midfielder Thiago Alcântara, who this week left Barcelona to join his former coach Guardiola at Bayern Munich, wrote on his Twitter account: "All the encouragement in the world for Tito and his family. We are all with you!!"
Liverpool's former Barcelona goalkeeper José Reina, who is close to joining Napoli on loan, said: "Football is equally fleeting in its victories and defeats. All my support for Tito Vilanova and his family! Support! You are going to win this game!"
Rival clubs both in Spain and abroad also came out in support of Vilanova, including Real Madrid who released a statement on their website which read: "Real Madrid CF want to express their support for and solidarity with Tito Vilanova and also to his family, friends and FC Barcelona."
Chelsea, whose new manager José Mourinho was in charge of Madrid last season as they battled Barça for the La Liga title, tweeted: "Everyone at Chelsea Football Club sends their best wishes to Tito Vilanova for a speedy recovery. Jose Mourinho, his coaching staff and the Chelsea players also all send their best wishes to Tito Vilanova for his fast recovery."
The support for Vilanova was not limited to the world of football. The Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador, the two-time Tour de France winner, wrote on his Twitter account: "From the Tour I'm sending lots of encouragement and strength to Tito Vilanova like all those who fight against this damn illness."
The NBA star Pau Gasol, who was born in Barcelona and played for his home-town club before moving to the United States, said: "The first and most important thing in life is health. My best wishes to Tito Vilanova in this difficult moment."
Barça are set to name Vilanova's successor next week, with the likes of Marcelo Bielsa, Gerardo Martino, André Villas-Boas, Michael Laudrup, Luís Enrique and Rubi, who recently joined the Catalan club's coaching staff, being linked with the post in the Spanish media.
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