Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova returns to Spain after treatment

Barcelona is en route to a La Liga title without coach Tito Vilanova.

Alvaro Barrientos/AP

Barcelona says coach Tito Vilanova has arrived back home after spending 10 weeks in the United States undergoing treatment for a throat tumor.

The club says the "first team coach has landed on Tuesday morning ... in Barcelona.''

Vilanova had a saliva gland tumor removed in November 2011, but underwent repeat surgery late last year. He then flew to the United States on Jan. 21 for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The team says Vilanova was driven "straight home to get some rest'' and assistant coach Jordi Roura would remain in charge of Tuesday's training session.

Barcelona says the idea is for Vilanova "to gradually be re-introduced'' at the helm of the squad.