- Lionel Messi has posted a tribute to former Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova
- Vilanova, who also coached Messi at youth level, died in 2014 aged 45
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Lionel Messi has posted a tribute to Tito Vilanova on the tenth anniversary of the former Barcelona manager’s passing.
Vilanova coached Barcelona in the 2012-13 season, having previously worked at the club as an assistant coach under Pep Guardiola, with the pair winning 14 trophies together.
In July 2013 Vilanova stepped down from his position as Barcelona manager due to ill health. He died from throat cancer on April 25, 2014, aged 45.
Messi also worked with Vilanova when he was coming through the youth ranks at Barcelona.
On Thursday Messi posted an Instagram story with a picture of him and Vilanova along with the message: ’10 years already, we won’t forget you Tito.’
Lionel Messi has posted a tribute to Tito Vilanova ten years after his former manager’s death
Vilanova started out as a youth player at Barcelona himself and also played for clubs including Celta Vigo and Mallorca.
He was Guardiola’s assistant for the Barcelona B team in 2007-08 before they both stepped up to coach the first-team in the following season.
While being coached by Vilanova in the 2012-13 campaign, Messi played 35 games for Barcelona and scored 42 goals, with the Catalan club winning the LaLiga title.
Vilanova, who managed Barcelona in 2012-13, also coached Messi in the club’s youth setup
Barcelona enjoyed much success with Vilanova working as Pep Guardiola’s assistant
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