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Update: Marseille suspend Andr...

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Update: Marseille suspend Andre Villas-Boas after Ntcham signing outburst

Phil Egan
Phil Egan

04:00 2 Feb 2021


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Andre Villas-Boas has been suspended by Marseille pending disciplinary proceedings after he offered to resign as head coach. 

The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss confirmed at a press conference on Tuesday that he has asked to be released from his contract.

Villas-Boas' outburst follows the deadline day signing from Celtic of Olivier Ntcham, a move the Portuguese manager was against.

The 43-year-old’s decision comes just a few days after a number of the club's supporters broke into the training ground, which caused their Ligue 1 game against Rennes to be cancelled.

Villas-Boas insists that incident has nothing to do with his decision to quit and that the signing of Ntcham was the final straw.

"It was not a decision that I took," he said.

"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.

"I offered my resignation through saying that I was not in agreement with the sporting strategy.

"The board has not yet given me feedback. I do not want money, I just want to leave.

"This club has already experienced two or three years of randomness in terms of its transfers and I cannot accept that.

"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."

The Portuguese was due to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Marseille followed up on Villas-Boas' remarkable outburst with the following statement:

Olympique de Marseille announces the pending disciplinary proceedings of André Villas-Boas.

This decision has become unavoidable given the recent and repetitive actions and attitudes that have seriously harmed Olympique de Marseille and its employees who devote themselves to it on a daily basis.

The remarks made today during a press conference in regard to Pablo Longoria, general manager in charge of football, are unacceptable.

His exceptional achievements should not be questioned and, on the contrary, were welcomed by all during this winter transfer window which was affected by an unprecedented crisis. Possible sanctions may be taken against André Villas-Boas following disciplinary proceedings.

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Andre Villas-Boas France Marseille Olivier Ntcham

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