Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova will have surgery on a saliva gland on Thursday, Dec 20, followed by six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, according to BBC News.
Vilanova had a cancerous tumor removed from the gland at the back of his throat in November 2011.
The 44-year-old is expected to be in hospital for three to four days, but going forward he "could be able to mix work with his treatment", says Barca.
Assistant coach Jordi Roura will take charge of the team in the meantime.
In a news conference on Wednesday, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell said: "We want to express our unconditional support to Tito and his family. Tito is strong, very strong, he's shown us that and we're convinced that he'll be back with us soon. We have complete confidence in the team. The club is very strong and very united, we're capable of overcoming adversity."
Barcelona sports director Andoni Zubizarreta denied that the club would look to bring in a replacement from outside on an interim basis.
"Tito is the coach, and continues to be so," Zubizarreta said, dismissing rumors Barcelona may have contacted Vilanova's predecessor, Pep Guardiola.
