Barcelona announced Tito Vilanova has stepped down as the club's manager as he continues his battle with cancer.

The Spanish giants called an impromptu press conference Friday, after suggestions that Vilanova was set to leave the club.

That was confirmed by president Sandro Rosell, with Barca also announcing they would name a new coach sometime next week.

"After evaluating the results from the routine checkups, which Tito Vilanova underwent this week, he was presented with the option to continue treatment to control his illness which will make it impossible to continue his responsibilities as the first team manager of the senior side," Rosell said.

"I want to ask everyone, especially the press, on account of Tito and his family, to respect his right to privacy through this process, which starts today."

Vilanova took over from Pep Guardiola last summer, after acting as the now Bayern Munich manager's assistant at the Camp Nou. The Spaniard had a tumour removed in November 2011, before a relapse meant he had to undergo further treatment a year later in December 2012.

Last season Vilanova missed a few games as he flew to New York for cancer treatment, but was adamant that he would continue at his job when asked about his future at the end of the season. However, the 44-year-old will now undergo treatment away from the spotlight.

Owing to the decision, Barcelona cancelled their scheduled Saturday preseason friendly in Poland against Lechia Gdansk, with the club also confirming a new manager would be appointed soon.

"In the next couple of days Vice President Josep Maria Bartomeu and Director of Football Andoni Zubizarreta will announce the new manager, probably early next week," Rosell added.

Reports in Spain have tipped Joan Francesc Ferrer, known better as Rubio, to take over, but Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has also emerged as a frontrunner for the job.