Thanks Barça, thanks everyone
After five wonderful years as a part of a team that would make any coach’s dreams come true, a moment in my professional life has arrived to dedicate all my strength and energy to the disease I have been diagnosed with one and a half years ago.
The treatments that I will receive from now on, according to the opinions of the doctors, will not allow me to dedicate myself one hundred percent to the tasks a first team coach for a club as FC Barcelona is required to do. But I will stay close and continue working for the club that I love so much in other sporting areas.
It is not easy to leave this special group of players, staff and friends with whom I have shared many memorable experiences. I will be eternally grateful to them for everything they have given and shown me. The quality this team has both as humans and on the pitch is ready for all obstacles coming their way and I am sure the next season will be exciting for everyone.
I also want to thank the president, the board and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta for the confidence they had in me, but above all, for the support they have given me both on a professional and personal level. Equally important to me is both the medical and personal support I have received from Dr. Ramon Caral and his team of doctors who are on my side. I know that I do not play this game by myself, I am part of a supportive club that will help me succeed in this long process as it has done until now.
To all of you, members and fans of Barça, I want to thank all of you with all my heart for the support and affection you have given me. Not just now but for the last couple of months. I want to tell you that I am calm, strong and that I will face this new challenge in the recovery of my illness fully confident that everything will be okay.
Thank you to all football fans, colleagues, clubs, sportsmen, acquaintances and people I do not know personally for your messages of encouragement that have comforted me and my family.
These are difficult times so I have requested the media to have respect and understanding. Now that I have resigned as the coach of FC Barcelona I hope to have the tranquillity and privacy that I and my family need right now.
I cannot conclude this letter without wishing the new coach of the best team in the world success.
Thank you all,
Tito Vilanova