Villas-Boas offers resignation as Marseille boss due to club’s transfer policy
Portuguese manager André Villas-Boas has offered his resignation as Marseille boss after clashing with the club’s board over the club’s transfer policy.
The club signed Olivier Ntcham to replace Morgan Sanson who left for Aston Villa, a decision Villas-Boas was against, describing Ntcham as a player he doesn’t want.
“It was not a decision that I took. It was specifically a player that I said no to. I was not aware of it, I learned of the signing when I woke up and went on the number one Marseille website,” Villas-Boas said of Ntcham signing during his press conference ahead of Marseille’s Ligue 1 game against Lens.
“I offered my resignation through saying that I was not in agreement with the sporting strategy. The board has not yet given me final feedback. I do not want money, I just want to leave.
“A gentlemen’s agreement about signing players has been broken. This club has already experienced two or three years of randomness in terms of its transfers and I cannot accept that.
“Now I am focused on Lens. For me they are the team of the year. We are not going to be able to prepare in the best conditions. And I will continue until such time that the board asks me to leave. This has nothing to do with the incidents that occurred on the weekend. It is related to the sporting side.”
Angry fans invaded the club’s training ground at the weekend after a poor run of results. The disruption went on for some time before police brought calm.
“I am waiting for a response from the board, and if it is a no, we will continue. I don’t want the club’s money, nor Frank’s (McCourt) money. I simply want to leave. I want to be clear with you.” Villas-Boas further added.
French media RMC reported that Marseille’s board have accepted André Villas Boas’ resignation, but the final decision will come down to owner Frank McCourt.
“I have an emotional connection to France, to Provence. I really liked Marseille. I like Marseille but I am a professional. When you want to give me a guy who has no similarities with the characteristics of the guy who left, I can’t take it.” he said about the consequence of his resignation.
Telefoot reported that the players were unaware of Villas-Boas resignation, only club captain and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda was aware.
The club’s training session is underway and Villas Boas is present but in deep conversation with Steve Mandanda as the others warm-up, according to La Provence.
Villas-Boas signed a two years contract in May 2019 to become Marseille boss and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Villas-Boas said last week that he is not thinking of a contract extension due to the club’s woeful run.
