Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has asked the media for privacy and admitted that his battle against cancer is far from over.

Vilanova had surgery last month to remove a tumour on a saliva gland but returned to the Barca dugout for Sunday's 4-0 La Liga win over Espanyol.

The Barca boss has thanked supporters and staff for their continued support but insisted that he will need a degree of privacy to deal with the illness.

He told reporters: "This is not over yet and there will be days that I can take training and others I can't but I want the media to realise that this illness is mine and it is private even if I am a public figure.

"I would like to thank everyone for their support. This club has had a lot of knocks in the last couple of years but I always want to take the positive approach. What has happened to me could have happened to anyone."

The 44-year-old has guided Barca to the top of La Liga in his first season in charge, with the Catalan giants currently nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid.