Andre Villas-Boas – the next Chelsea Manager?

Chelsea are apparently on the verge of signing FC Porto coach c as their new manager, according to a Portuguese news agency.

Villas-Boas, under whom Porto won the Portuguese League, Portuguese Cup and the UEFA Europa League (and also did not lose a single League match), has a €15 million release clause in his contract that Chelsea seem to have agreed to pay. This accomplishment has drawn comparisons with the other Portuguese manager, Jose Mourinho, under whom Villas-Boas worked as an assistant at both Chelsea and Inter.

Porto president said the club couldn’t stop Villas-Boas from leaving should those financial conditions be met, and knowing Abramovich, €15 million is small change for him. He said: “If someone deposits €15million into our account and he wants to go, we cannot do anything because it is something that is contractually specified.”

Villas-Boas, 33, became the youngest coach to win a European trophy when his Porto side beat Braga 1-0. He immediately came under the spotlights of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Rumours were afloat that Villas-Boas would go on to take the job at Inter Milan, but club president Moratti stated they were not prepared to meet his hefty clause.

Chelsea sacked Coach Carlo Ancelotti and were looking for someone to replace him. Guus Hiddink, who worked as a caretaker earlier for Chelsea, was strongly linked – some stating that the deal was almost done – but with Villas-Boas on the threshold, it has turned out to be a surprising move.

If he indeed does join Chelsea, Villas-Boas will be following the steps of mentor Mourinho. Mourinho ended Chelsea’s painful wait of 50 years for the EPL, but Abramovich still dreams of the Champions League. Will Villas-Boas deliver?

Tags: Andre Villas Boas, Chelsea, EPL, Football, Manager, Premier League