Tito Vilanova is set to step down as Barcelona coach after suffering a relapse of a tumor he had removed last year. The 44-year-old had a tumor on his parotid gland removed last November when he was the club's assistant manager.

He took over the top job after Pep Guardiola stepped down in April this year, signing a two-year contract.

Barcelona are currently nine points clear at the top of La Liga and are reportedly in talks with a replacement for the rest of the season, says the Daily Mail.

They cancelled a scheduled press conference on Wednesday as the news broke.

El Mundo says an official statement is expected from the club later today after they suspended all public engagements for the day.