Villas-Boas seeks some Chelsea credit

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas insists he deserves some of the credit for Chelsea’s success in the aftermath of his sacking last season.

When Villas-Boas was dismissed after just eight months at Chelsea, the west London club were languishing outside the top four in the Premier League and faced a 3-1 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League tie against Napoli.

The poor results had been caused in large part by Villas-Boas’s poor relationship with several Chelsea stars, but, under the guidance of interim coach Roberto di Matteo, the Blues went on to win the FA Cup and then the Champions League.

However, Villas-Boas insists there were some positives from his short spell at Chelsea and he should be credited for putting the foundations of their success into place.

“For Chelsea to have won the FA Cup and the Champions League, it means we were still present in those competitions at that time I was sacked,” Villas-Boas said on Wednesday.

“The squad was being put in place towards the future and the owner took the decision, which I have to respect, but I never accept it.

“I was very honoured that I was able to put that team together.

“You could say part of what they achieved is also down to that squad being put together by myself, but what was done after was down to Robbie’s work and the work of those magnificent players.

“It is never a one-person failure and I will never take it like that.”

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