Villas Boas heads off to Barcelona
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02372/avb_2372958b.jpgDespair at Tottenham Hotspur but joy for Barcelona as it has today been confirmed that Andre Villas Boas has made the switch from Spurs manager to Barcelona manager. This has come as a surprise to all, as it seemed that AVB would be staying at Spurs this season, especially after rejecting an offer from Paris Saint-Germain.
Michael Laudrup and Frank de Boer were the favourites for the job after Tito Vilanova left to recieve further cancer treatment, but Villas Boas was eventually given an offer he "couldn't refuse", according to the Daily Mail. Barcelona have been on a tough ride with managers since Pep Guardiola left them to take a break from management, but Andre Villas Boas is believed to be the one to make Barcelona as great as they've ever been.
Chairman and president of the Spanish giants Sandro Rosell spoke about the new manager...
"I'd like to welcome Andre Villas Boas to this amazing club with open arms. It's not easy being the manager of Barcelona by any stretch of the imagination, but with the correct guidance from myself, the players and of course the staff, I believe he'll be the one to push the club just that extra mile. Barcelona have a very treasured history, and any manager who wins a trophy with us is part of that history. Andre could and should bring many trophies to Camp Nou."
"Also, I want to wish Tito Vilanova a speedy recovery, as we all know why he chose to leave Barcelona. Everyone at the club wishes him a healthy, quick recovery, and he'll be forever in our hearts as the great manager he is. Onwards and upwards for Barcelona!"
Also, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, Daniel Levy talked to Sky Sports News about AVB leaving...
"It is with great regret and sadness that I confirm that Andre Villas Boas is leaving the club to go to Barcelona. Villas Boas is a great manager who made a massive impact on Tottenham Hotspur, almost bringing the club into the top four, where we belong. Tottenham are a great club with a very bright future, and whoever the new manager will be has a big task ahead of them."
"As for the new manager, I'm not too sure on who it'll be myself, but I do have a few candidates surrounding who they may be already. They should have experience in football, but be quite young, around AVB's age. I will put all my trust in whoever I should decide to hire, and wish them a long, happy career with us in advance."
In addition, new signing Paulinho spoke to BT Sport where he said...
"I was really looking forward to working with Andre Villas Boas, it was the main reason I came to Tottenham Hotspur, so anyone would be able to understand my disappointment and sadness as he departs White Hart Lane. However, I'll stick with the new manager no matter what, I'm looking forward to playing in Spurs colours."
"Tottenham have a very bright future ahead of them, and it's an honour to be a part of it, especially with a new manager coming forward now. AVB is a great manager, but I'm sure success will come with whoever will take over next."
Fans and players alike have spoken out about Villas Boas leaving the club, here are some of the best quotes from Facebook...
Some of the favourites for the Tottenham job are Michael Laudrup, Ledley King, Roberto Di Matteo and Laurent Blanc, although Jurgen Klinsmann is most of the bookies favourite.