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Andre Villas-Boas appointed Chelsea manager

Paul Doyle

— PHOTO: AFP

SHREWD SIGNING:Andre Villas-Boas is one of the most talented young managers today and has already achieved much in a relatively short span

LONDON: The most important weapon in Chelsea's assault on next season's Premier League and Champions League was finally put in place on Wednesday as the club confirmed Andre Villas-Boas as its new manager, one month after sacking Carlo Ancelotti.

The 33-year-old has signed a three-year contract at Stamford Bridge 24 hours after Chelsea paid a £13.3m compensation fee to release him from Porto, the club where, in the space of just one season, he became the most sought-after young manager in Europe.

Mourinho's assistant

In his one-year reign at Porto, Villas-Boas went through the domestic league season unbeaten en route to a league and cup double and crowned that by also winning the Europa League.

His success rate has brought inevitable comparison with Jose Mourinho, for whom he formerly worked as an assistant at both Porto and Chelsea, and while he shares some traits with his mentor, such as a knack for fostering close relationships with his players, his style of football is more attractive and attacking than that most usually associated with Mourinho.

That will have weighed on the decision of Roman Abramovich, who wants his extravagant investment in the London club to be rewarded with entertainment as well as the biggest trophies.

“Andre was the outstanding candidate for the job,” read an official statement from Chelsea.

“He is one of the most talented young managers in football today and has already achieved much in a relatively short space of time.

“His ambition, drive and determination match that of Chelsea and we are confident Andre's leadership of the team will result in greater successes in major domestic and European competitions.

“Andre will bring his coaching experience back to a club he is already very familiar with, having previously worked here for three years.

“He has always been highly regarded at Chelsea and everyone here looks forward to welcoming him back and working with him.”

Chelsea's senior players do not return from holidays until 2 July but Villas-Boas is already in London, running the rule over Stamford Bridge and the club's training ground in Cobham and discussing the other components in the club's rebuilding plan following the disappointing season that lead to his predecessor's dismissal.

Falcao may be signed

The club is expected to spend heavily on new players, with Tottenham's Luka Modric remaining a target and Villas-Boas contemplating a bid to bring the Columbian striker Falcao with him from Porto. One indication that the transfer may be imminent is that Falcao recently changed agents, hiring Jorge Mendes, who has close links with Chelsea.

Villas-Boas had wanted his assistant at Porto, Vítor Pereira, to come with him to London but Pereira has instead decided to take up the offer of replacing Villas-Boas as Porto manager.

The future of Guus Hiddink, who was initially believed to the Abramovich's preferred choice to replace Ancelotti, is uncertain. The Dutchman is still the manager of the Turkish national team but there have been talks about him becoming the director of football at Stamford Bridge.

He is also in contention to become the new manager of Inter Milan following Leonardo's departure to Paris Saint-Germain. — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2011

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