Thaindian News

Madrid, Nov 23 (IANS) FC Barcelona informed that Tito Vilanova, the assistant to coach Pep Guardiola has undergone a successful operation on his parotid gland in the Barcelona Hospital del Vall d’Hebron.

The parotid gland is the largest of the salivary glands found in the head and are located just between the ear and the mandible, Xinhua reported.

The club, which has asked for Vilanova’s privacy to be respected, has issued a statement Tuesday, confirming that the five-hour emergency operation was been successful.

For the moment the club has not offered any further information, other to confirm that Vilanova will be able to return to his post in three or four weeks.

Vilanova was in the headlines earlier this season after he suffered an aggression from Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho at the end of the second leg of the Spanish Supercup. Mourinho walked up behind Vilanova and stuck his finger in his eye, an action which earned Mourinho a two-game suspension.

Last season Barcelona’s French international defender Eric Abidal missed several months after needing an emergency operation on a liver tumour, from which he has made a full recovery.