Axel Allag, Media365, published on Monday December 16, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
At the head of FC Porto since April 28, André Villas-Boas spoke of his adventure on the OM bench, ending with a resignation presented in February 2021 and accepted a month later by management following a sporting disagreement and the arrival of Olivier Ntcham.
Between July 2019 and February 2021, André Villas-Boas was coach of OM, his last experience on a bench because for eight months, he has worn another hat, namely that of the 32nd president in the history of an FC Porto adrift financially and currently 3rd in its championship. In an interview with our colleagues from L'Equipe, 'AVB' largely looked back on his time on the bench of the Marseille club, marked by good memories and positive and negative emotions. “This club means so much to people, it's the number 1 club in France, without a doubt. As it was one of the most beautiful things in my life, it was also one of the most painful. Leaving as I left, living the Covid there… The Vélodrome would transmit its strength to us, OM, it's the Vélodrome, it's the atmosphere of the stadium”, assessed the president of FC Porto, who said. had left because Olivier Ntcham had joined Marseille without that he does not agree (he had learned of his arrival in the press and presented his resignation immediately, editor's note).
“It was a question of values”
Arriving on the last day of the winter transfer window to replace Morgan Sanson, Ntcham represented “a real coup d'état which broke everything” in the relationship between André Villas-Boas and his leaders. The one who had already almost left during the summer, therefore left OM in winter. “It wasn't a blood attack! It was a question of values. Everyone knows that, when Pablo arrived, I decided to stay. Because I obviously loved the club. I had linked my future at “Zubi”, Zubi left and I had a very strong discussion with Franck (McCourt, editor's note). One of the things that we had made sacred between us was that the decision to take a player had to be made. validated by all parties. was not informed of the arrival and I had already said no for this player (Olivier Ntcham) That's why I submitted my resignation Which then became a suspension. between the two parties,” he said.
“When we touch on values, I can freak out”
Recently, André Villas-Boas visibly had fun rewatching some of his press conferences from the time, his eye amused by certain “punchlines”. In control of his emotions most of the time, he admitted having difficulty containing himself in Marseille. “But when people cross the line, when we touch on values, I can lose my temper, as you say in French. Yes, it’s true that it happened once or twice in Marseille,” agreed the one who led OM to the Champions League during his first season before leaving quickly during the second. This Monday morning, the Marseille club also separated from the director of its training center, Yann Danielou, through a contract termination by mutual agreement.
