ST. PETERSBURG, March 21 (R-Sport) – Newly appointed Zenit St. Petersburg coach Andre Villas-Boas admitted Friday to turning down an approach from Marseille to take charge of the Russian Premier League side instead.
The former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur coach was unveiled on Thursday and signed a two-year deal with the three-time Russian champions.
Marseille are currently coached by caretaker boss Jose Anigo, who replaced Elie Baup in December following a string of poor results.
“There were negotiations with Marseille but I decided to sign a contract with Zenit,” Villas-Boas said ahead of his first training session. “These things are normal, you choose a place that is better for your career development.”
R-Sport understands the 36-year-old's contract be worth 8.5 million euros a year. It makes him one of the world's best-paid managers at the Gazprom-backed club.
Villas-Boas replaced Italian coach Luciano Spalletti, who was fired last week after a poor run of form in the league with just one win in 11 games.
Villas-Boas will make his Russian debut on Monday when Zenit host Krylya Sovetov Samara in attempt to close a three-point gap from leaders Lokomotiv Moscow.
