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BARCELONA, Spain -- Tito Vilanova is stepping down as Barcelonas coach following a recurrence of throat cancer, just a month before Lionel Messi and his teammates begin the defence of their Spanish league title. Club president Sandro Rosell told a hurriedly called news conference at Barcelonas training facility on Friday that Vilanova will "follow a treatment" that will be "incompatible" with staying on as coach. Rosell said that a new head coach would be named next week and that Barcelona was cancelling its first friendly of the preseason, scheduled to be played in Poland on Saturday against Lechia Gdansk. Spanish media was rife with speculation that little-known Joan "Rubi" Ferrer would replace Vilanova. Ferrer was hired on June 28 as Barcelonas new assistant coach after his strong season with Catalan club Girona in the second division. The 44-year-old Vilanova had twice previously had to take a medical break from his duties at Barcelona, once as Pep Guardiolas assistant in the 2011-12 season and again as its manager last season. In his single season in charge he led Barcelona to the Spanish league title with a record-tying point 100 points. "This is a piece of news I would have never in my life wanted to give," Rosell told a packed media room including Barcelonas first team with Messi and captain Carles Puyol. "After evaluating the results of the routine tests and checkups for Tito Vilanova, the option arose of following a treatment that will be incompatible with the development of the responsibilities as the coach of the first team," Rosell said. Vilanova was not in attendance. Vilanova had battled the recurrent tumour in a saliva gland for the past two years, coming back to coach each time. He first fell ill in Nov. 2011 and had to have surgery. He then had a second tumour removed last December and travelled to New York several times to receive further treatment. In his absence last season, assistant Jordi Roura took over. First as Guardiolas assistant, Vilanova provided the tactical know-how that helped his boss forge one of the best teams in the history of the sport -- winning 14 of a possible 19 titles from 2008-2012, including two Champions League trophies. As a young player, Vilanova spent six years at Barcelonas training academy -- from 1984-90 -- but never made it to the topflight team, going on to play for clubs such as Celta Vigo and Mallorca before his playing career was cut short by a serious knee injury. That injury led Vilanova into coaching and to Barcelonas cadets, tutoring current first-team players Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique. Vilanova moved on from Barcelona to work as sport director at third division club Terrassa before answering Guardiolas call to help him take Barca B up from the third division in 2007-08. Custom Los Angeles Chargers Jerseys . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Custom Jerseys Adidas . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. https://www.cheapcustomjerseysonline.com/custom-japan-soccer-jerseys/ . Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in appreciation and awe. Custom Memphis Grizzlies Jerseys . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. Custom San Diego Padres Jerseys . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. OMAHA, Neb. -- Creighton says Kobe Paras has signed an agreement to play basketball for the Bluejays.Coach Greg McDermott announced the signing on Monday, calling Paras a versatile, scoring wing forward.Paras had signed a national letter of intent with UCLA last November but later withdrew after the school said he failed to meet academic conditions that were part of his admittance. He will have four years of eligibility with the Bluejays.The 6-foot-6 Paras spent the last two years in Los Angeles after growing up iin the Philippines.ddddddddddddHe attended Cathedral High School but played last season for Middlebrooks Academy.Paras helped lead the Philippines to a gold medal in the FIBA Asia Under-18 3x3 championship in May 2013. He won the slam dunk contest at the FIBA 3x3 championships in June 2015 while representing the Philippines.Paras father, Benjie, played professionally in the Philippines. ' ' '