Tito Vilanova Reuters

Former Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova is in a stable condition after emergency surgery to treat a cancer relapse last night, according to Spanish reports.

Vilanova's state of health drastically worsened yesterday. After a routine visit to the same hospital where received regular treatment against the parotid gland cancer he contracted November 2011, scans and tests revealed the need for emergency intervention because of gastric complications.

However, according to El Mundo Deportivo, Vilanova remains stable.

Vilanova, who was initially assistant to Pep Guardiola between 2008 and 2012, was named Barca coach when Guardiola resigned.

After taking charge for the 2012/13 season, during which Barca won the league title, the Catalan club announced that Vilanova would be stepping down due to a relapse of the cancer.

Since then, the former Barca coach has kept fighting while the media respect his request for privacy.

UPDATE: Tito Vilanova has died. For the full story of his tragic passing, click here.

Cancer