By Adam Shergold
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Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova is set to step down from his post after suffering a relapse of a tumour he had removed last year.
The 44-year-old had a tumour on his parotid gland removed in emergency surgery last November when he was the club's assistant manager.
The parotid gland is the largest of the human salivary glands.
But during a recent medical check-up, it was found that the tumour had returned. He is reportedly undergoing emergency surgery in a Barcelona hospital at the moment.
It was announced in April that Vilanova would take over as Barca coach following Pep Guardiola's decision to step down at the end of the season and take a year-long sabbatical from the game.
Stepping down: Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has suffered a relapse of a tumour he had removed last November
Vilanova was Guardiola's assistant during four hugely successful years at the Nou Camp which saw Barca win 13 trophies, including two Champions League crowns and three Primera Division titles.
Vilanova has enjoyed a superb start to his tenure in the hotseat, helping Barca establish a nine-point lead at the top of the league standings after winning 15 of their opening 16 games while drawing the other.
Barca are also through to the knockout stages of the Champions League and hold a 2-0 first-leg lead over Cordoba in their Copa del Rey last-16 tie.
The club cancelled a scheduled press conference involving Club President Sandro Rosell on Wednesday as the news broke, as well as the staff Christmas party.
A training session scheduled for 6pm UK time this evening, and which was open to the public for the first 15 minutes, has been closed off.
Barcelona have announced that no decision will be made on a potential replacement until Vilanova has spoken to the players.
The news broke on the same day defender Eric Abidal was given the all-clear to resume his playing career following a liver transplant.
VILANOVA'S RECORD AT BARCELONA SO FAR
Pld 27 W 23 D 2 L 2 (85.18% win ratio)
Successor: Vilanova replaced Pep Guardiola (right) as Barcelona manager in the summer
Good job: Barcelona are nine points clear at the summit of La Liga
Barca released a press statement this morning announcing they had suspended all activities for today but did not go into details and did not mention Vilanova.
The club confirmed a further announcement would be made later today.
The statement read: 'Barcelona announce that it is has suspended the press conference from president Sandro Rosell planned for midday. As well as that, the media Christmas lunch has been cancelled.
'Later today the club will issue a further release. Until that time we will not make any announcement about this matter.
'We regret any inconvenience this decision may cause.'
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