Marseille coach Villas-Boas hopes to return to Dakar Rally within five years

Marseille coach Andre Villas-Boas hopes to compete in the Dakar Rally again in the next five years.

Villas-Boas took part in the 2018 race in South America after leaving his position at Shanghai SIPG.

The Portuguese, a motorsport enthusiast whose uncle competed in the event in 1982, was forced to withdraw after fracturing a vertebra on the fourth stage in Peru.

However, Villas-Boas, who is contracted to Marseille until 2021, wants to have another crack while the Dakar Rally is in Saudi Arabia.

“As we granted a day of rest to the players, who deserved it, I took advantage of the invitation from David Castera [Dakar Rally director] to briefly immerse myself in the atmosphere. It reminds me of lots of good memories despite my accident,” he told L’Equipe.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by André Villas-Boas (@officialandrevillasboas) on Mar 7, 2019 at 10:15am PST

“The desire to drive has always been there. When I was little, I dreamed of being a football or rally driver. Then I discovered my love for coaching a little later.

“I will do it again in the next five years in Saudi Arabia. I want to finish the story. I saw pictures the other day, it’s amazing.

“This year will be important for the club but I will set aside a slot [for the Dakar Rally] in the next few years.”