Premier League - Porto confirm Villas-Boas departure
Andre Villas-Boas has tendered his resignation at Porto in anticipation of a move to Chelsea, the club confirmed in a statement to the stock market.
Porto received a fax from the coach in which he informed the club that his 15 million euro (£13.2 million) release clause will be activated.
As a result his contract at Estadio Dragao will be terminated and he will be free to be appointed as Roman Abramovich's latest manager at Stamford Bridge.
Porto confirmed the news in a statement to the Portuguese stock market on Tuesday morning: "Porto has been notified of the intention of coach Andre Villas-Boas to terminate, without just cause, his contract with the club, immediately activating his release clause."
It had been reported that Abramovich was unwilling to pay the full amount dictated in the release clause but the Chelsea owner has now relented in order to recruit Villas-Boas. His contract will officially be deemed terminated once the deposit for the release clause has been paid.
Though just 33, the Portuguese coach has already established a formidable reputation having won the Portuguese league unbeaten last season, as well as securing the Portuguese Cup and the Europa League in his first season at Porto.
A student of Sir Bobby Robson when taking his first steps into coaching, Villas-Boas also worked as assistant to Jose Mourinho at Porto, Chelsea and Inter before taking charge of Academica in October 2009.
After less than two full years of coaching he now finds himself returning to Chelsea and replacing Carlo Ancelotti at one of Europe's biggest clubs.
It is reported Villas-Boas will seek to sign Colombian forward Falcao from Porto, who scored a record 17 goals during the club's successful Europa League campaign last season.
His agent, Claudio Mossi, says the player would be open to a move to Stamford Bridge.
"If Villas-Boas is the new coach of Chelsea it is normal for players that are closest to follow him," Mossi told The Sun.
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