AVB Can Prove Doubters Wrong

One year into a 3 year plan with Porto Andre Villas-Boas was prised away following a remarkable first season; he lifted the league unbeaten, the Portuguese Supercup, Portuguese Cup and the Europa League.

A record breaing season meant AVB headed to Chelsea with a big reputation to uphold, enhanced by the massive £13.3 million paid by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich for his new manager.

As well as a lot of expectation the Portuguese came with a 3 year plan, which he only managed 8 months of. Abramovich’s decision to give Villas-Boas his leave may have been vindicated by Roberto Di Matteo’s FA Cup and Champions League victories but in many respects AVB was the architect of his own downfall.

The 34 year old manager made revolutionising Chelsea a main objective. His main issue was the, so called, ‘Old Guard’ we are familiar with for bringing the dismissal of previous managers at Stamford Bridge.

Villas-Boas wanted to freshen up the team with a nucleus of younger players rather than a nucleus of veteran, Frank Lampard was visibly unhappy with warming the bench for periods early in the season. The players that AVB inherited were unable to adapt to the more European style and the youth that the manager wanted to replace the ageing legs wasn’t ready for the first team yet.

A policy of youth saw a backlash from the infamous ‘Old Guard’ and player power at Samford Bridge once again brought the end of a managers reign.

Tottenham appointed Andre Villas-Boas as their new boss earlier this week and it is unlikely he will encounter the same issues he did during his ill-fated spell with Chelsea; he has a young squad, another 3 year plan and whatsmore a point to prove.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy wanted AVB as soon as the dust from Harry Redknapp’s sacking had settled, being first choice will go someway to restoring confidence which surely took a denting after last season.

The reports of a £50 million warchest for the new boss bodes well; there is a good squad at White Hart Lane that with the right acquisitions can stay in the top 4.

8 months experience of managing in the Premier Lague will do AVB the world of good in knowing what is ahead, while his style of football may not change he will have learnt some valuable lessons.

Daniel Levy is sure to invest in the squad this summer, it may well have been a ploy to get AVB on board and although he likes to have a say in any transfer at The Lane h is far from as controlling as Chelsea’s owner.

AVB will have a much younger squad this season so revolution will be more like evolution at White Hart Lane.

As for player unrest, the biggest ego Villas-Boas will have to deal with could well be his own.

Sam Jewell

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