An extraordinary outburst in a press conference has seen manager Andre Villas-Boas suspended by Marseille. It comes just days after furious fans stormed the club’s training ground over frustrations about form and culture.
On Tuesday morning it emerged the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss had offered to resign from his Marseille post in a press conference.
It appears the loan deal to sign Olivier Ntcham from Celtic on deadline day was what tipped the Portuguese over the edge. Speaking to the media, Villas-Boas said he didn’t want to bring in the French midfielder. Ntcham was signed to replace Morgan Sanson, who left for Aston Villa earlier in the window.
Villas-Boas Suspended by Marseille
What Were the Words That Got Villas-Boas Suspended?
Two or three years of issues surrounding transfers seems to have worn the manager’s patience thin. He affirmed that his frustrations weren’t to do with the training ground incident, but he had simply had enough of dealing with decisions made by the club’s hierarchy.
He told the media: “The transfer window finished with the arrival of a new player. It’s a decision that wasn’t made by me. I learned about it this morning in the press when I woke up. It’s a player I said no to. He wasn’t in our list. I wasn’t for it. I woke up, looked at the number one site for Marseille information to learn about the arrival of a new player.
“I offered my resignation to the board. I’m not in agreement with the sporting politics. I’ve taken my decision to offer my resignation to the board. They haven’t given me feedback yet. I don’t want any money from Marseille. I simply want to leave because of difference on the sporting politics.”
Marseille’s Fury
In the aftermath of the Portuguese’s public outburst, Marseille announced on its official website that he will face disciplinary action.
The statement described Villas-Boas’ comments about sporting director Pablo Longoria as “unacceptable”. The club said his “recent and repetitive actions and attitudes have seriously harmed Olympique de Marseille and its employees.”
It went on to say sanctions may be taken against the manager. While he hasn’t been officially sacked yet, it seems the relationship between Villas-Boas and the Marseille hierarchy is beyond repair.
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