In an official club communiqué published this afternoon, Ligue 1 side Marseille sought to defend the contract extension offer that they made to André Villas-Boas at the beginning of the week, following press reports that the Portuguese has rejected it.
“From last week, Marseille President Jacques-Henri Eyraud spoke with André Villas-Boas of his desire to offer him a contract extension. Over the weekend, Frank McCourt confirmed to André Villas-Boas that he was aligned with Jacques-Henri Eyraud and wants to work together over the terms of this extension. On Monday 18th (May) at the end of the day, the club made André Villas-Boas a contract extension offer over two years (2021/22 and 2022/23) and a further year as an option (2023/24), if Marseille qualify for the Champions’ League for that season.”
“For the last 20 years, Marseille is a club that has suffered from chronic instability. 24 spells for managers (certain managers have had several spells during different periods) have been delivered at Marseille during this period. For the last 20 years, only three managers have received contractual engagements for four years or more: Didier Deschamps, Rudi Garcia and today André Villas-Boas with this offer. This shows first of all the club’s desire to create conditions of stability without which nothing solid can be built in the long term in football and notably at Marseille.”
“This shows secondly the club’s determination to invest when it judges it to be necessary in conditions that create sporting success. Finally, it shows all the faith that the club has in the qualities of André Villas-Boas with whom Marseille wants to write a significant page in its modern history.”
