LONDON: Andre Villas-Boas is poised for a return to both the Premier League and London football as manager of Tottenham.
The former Porto and Chelsea boss has apparently turned down an offer from Brazilian club Sao Paulo and is more than ever the favourite after earlier speculation about Laurent Blanc.
Tottenham need a new manager after paying off Harry Redknapp following a disagreement over an extended contract for the 64-year-old who took the club, in less than four years, from the bottom of the Premier League into the Champions League.
Chairman Daniel Levy had waited for the end of French interest in Euro 2012 to think seriously about approaching Blanc. However the difficulties Blanc appeared to have in maintaining the command and respect of his players was a negative factor.
A three-year contract offer is being prepared for Villas-Boas who endured a torried baptism in English football but failing to ‘carry the dressing room’ in his half a season at Chelsea.
His decision to turn down Sao Paulo was confirmed by their director of football, Adalberto Baptista, who said: “Andre Villas-Boas has said that he doesn’t want to manage Sao Paulo. He prefers to have more time to plan things but I have no time to wait.”
In fact, talks between representatives of Villas-Boas and Tottenham are advanced and have not concerned only financial aspects but a vision for the team over the next three years. An announcement is expected later this week or early next.
Former Spurs captain and midfielder Tim Sherwood is expected to stay on at White Hart Lane as Villas-Boas’ ‘English guide’. He will step straight into a busy few weeks in the transfer market.
Croatia playmaker Luka Modric is likely to be sold and Villas-Boas will then have a key role to play in deciding how to use the likely £25m fee plus other monies which Levy will make available.
= = = =