Villas-Boas makes new Premier start after signing up for three years at Tottenham
LONDON: Andre Villas-Boas has taken up the opportunity of a second chance in the Premier League after being appointed as manager of Tottenham, a year after the start of his ill-fated spell at Chelsea.
The 34-year-old Portuguese has agreed a three-year contract to succeed Harry Redknapp who left White Hart Lane last month, three months after AVB had been sacked from Stamford Bridge. Villas-Boas will be assisted by first-team fitness coach Jose Mario Rocha and head of opposition scouting Daniel Sousa.
He said: “Tottenham Hotspur is a great club with a strong tradition and fantastic support, both at home and throughout the world. I feel feel privileged to be its coach. For me, this is one of the most exciting coaching positions in the Premier League.
“I have had several discussions with the chairman and the board and I share their vision for the future progress of the club. This is a squad any coach would love to work with and together I believe we can bring success in the seasons ahead.”
Villas-Boas’s spell in west London was haunted by claims of unrest among players who went on to win the Champions League under his former aide Roberto Di Matteo.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said: “Andre has an outstanding reputation for his technical knowledge of the game and for creating well-organised teams capable of playing football in an attractive and attacking style. He shares our long-term ambitions and ethos of developing players and nurturing young talent, and he will be able to do so now at a new world class training centre.”
Levy added: “We are constantly looking to move the club forward. It is important that we now look to develop the potential within the squads at all levels, whilst strengthening the first-team in the summer in key positions with players who will become part of the future success of the club.”
One of Villas-Boas’ first tasks will be to try to ensure Spurs do not lose any of their star names.
Gareth Bale has agreed a four-year extension contract but doubts concern Luka Modric – who was denied a move to Villas-Boas’s Chelsea last summer – and has been linked with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Tottenham themselves are said to be interested in Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen, CSKA Moscow’s Alan Dzagoev and Hoffenheim midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, who was on loan at Swansea last season.
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