SAF: Villas-Boas faces big test

19 July 2011 08:28
Sir Alex Ferguson feels Andre Villas-Boas has been presented with "an enormous challenge" after being installed as the new Chelsea manager.[LNB] Villas-Boas became the Blues' fifth manager in four years this summer, replacing Carlo Ancelotti, who was dropped just one season after securing the domestic double.[LNB]Considering the huge demands made by owner Roman Abramovich, it represents an extraordinary leap of faith from the mega-wealthy Russian.[LNB]Villas-Boas only has two seasons of top-flight experience in the Portuguese Liga behind him - his performance at Porto last season was impressive considering he won three trophies, including the Europa League, and the title by 21 points.[LNB]And at just 33, he is the same age as some of the players he has taken charge of at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]"It is a big step for Chelsea and an enormous challenge," Ferguson said.[LNB]It took the Scot back to the start of his own career almost four decades previously.[LNB]That was at East Stirling, where Ferguson was employed on a part-time basis and collected just £40 a week - his first task being to find himself a goalkeeper because the Scottish minnows did not have one.[LNB]"I was 32 when I started but I was managing a wee Second Division team in Scotland," Ferguson said.[LNB]"All I had was a physio. I had no assistant manager or anything like that.[LNB]"He has the advantage, irrespective of his age, of having the staff he wants to have.[LNB]"It is a strong possibility he will have enough staff to overcome that type of move."[LNB]Villas-Boas has already appointed former Chelsea midfielder and West Brom boss Roberto di Matteo as his new assistant and installed Ivan Ortega as his fitness coach.[LNB]Further appointments are bound to follow as Villas-Boas adjusts to his new environment.[LNB]"He knows the club," said Ferguson.[LNB]"He has been there before so that is an advantage.[LNB]"He has a very experienced bunch of players there and for a young manager having to go to a club of that size, experienced players are a help to him.[LNB]"We expect Chelsea to be challenging again."

Source: Team_Talk