De Boer offers Vilanova support

Ajax head coach Frank de Boer thinks Tito Vilanova made the right choice in stepping down from his post at Barcelona.

It was announced on Friday that Vilanova would relinquish his role in order to continue his treatment for cancer.

The Spaniard, 44, underwent an operation to have a tumour removed from his throat in November 2011 and required further surgery in December 2012.

He returned to guide Barcelona to the Liga title last season but the Catalan club will begin the 2013-14 campaign with a new man at the helm.

De Boer, who played at Camp Nou between 1999-2003, insisted that the health of Vilanova is the most important thing.

“Yes of course it is very sad for him, because he is a very good coach,” De Boer said.

“But with is illness he couldn’t perform what he wanted to, I think. But maybe it is the right choice right now for him because you cannot be totally focused for the team.

“Hopefully he will recover very soon and be on the training for whatever level. The first thing that is the most important is the health of Tito.”