Vilanova to stay at Barcelona next season

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Speaking publicly for the first time since returning from a medical leave of absence, Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova says he will continue at the helm of the Spanish team next season.

Vilanova, speaking with a noticeably raspy voice, said Friday that "I have the strength to continue as long as my health allows me too. I never thought about quitting."

Vilanova had surgery to remove a second throat tumor in two years in December and then spent 10 weeks in New York receiving further treatment.

He coached his first game back on April 2.

Barcelona can clinch the Spanish league title this weekend. It faces a second-leg Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich on Wednesday after losing 4-0 in the first game.