Since taking over as head coach of Shanghai SIPG, André Villas-Boas has kept a low profile. Training sessions in Shanghai have been completely closed to the public, and until now, he hadn’t spoken to the media. But during a Friday morning training session in Doha, Villas-Boas finally broke his silence, addressing several topics that fans have been eager to hear about.
“Coming to coach in Shanghai has been a great experience for me personally,” said Villas-Boas. “My family and I have settled in well. The kids have already started school, and everything is going smoothly.” He spoke positively about his early impressions of China, saying, “Everything has been fantastic so far. This club is highly professional, and I’m very happy to be working here. The players are driven and eager to improve, which is exactly what a coach wants to see.”
While acknowledging that the Chinese Super League may not be among the world’s top-tier competitions, Villas-Boas was quick to add, “Yes, this is a well-paid position, but it’s also a serious challenge. I’ve always had an interest in coaching in Asia. Initially, I was considering Japan’s J-League, but then Shanghai SIPG came along. The club’s ambition really stood out to me—and of course, they offered a very attractive contract.”
He praised the club’s trust in him and their willingness to adopt many of his suggestions. “SIPG has given me the freedom I need as a manager. They’ve brought in quality players and backed me every step of the way. That gives me confidence about our future together,” he said.
When asked about the increasing trend of high-profile players moving to the Chinese Super League, Villas-Boas remarked, “This is great for Chinese football. For European players, it opens a new chapter. People are beginning to realize that China is a viable and exciting football destination. That’s why we’re seeing more elite players make the move.”
The signing of Oscar from Chelsea has garnered massive attention. Villas-Boas believes the Brazilian’s arrival marks a shift in how people perceive the league. “Sure, we’ve seen big-name stars come to China before, but Oscar is only 25—he still has room to grow. Players his age are usually expected to join clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Chelsea. This transfer shows that the Chinese Super League can now attract top talent at their peak. It raises the league’s profile and improves the overall quality of the matches. For Chinese fans, that’s something to be proud of.”
Villas-Boas also addressed rumors linking Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to SIPG, firmly shutting them down. “That’s completely false. I don’t know where that story came from, but it’s just crazy talk. Aubameyang is an exceptional player, but there’s no connection between him and our club,” he clarified.
Similarly, he dismissed speculation surrounding Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew. Villas-Boas emphasized that SIPG’s current focus isn’t on new signings, but rather on building team chemistry and preparing for the upcoming season. “We’ve already brought in outstanding foreign players like Hulk, Oscar, and Akhmedov in the past year. Now our priority is integrating the squad and preparing for a strong title run.”
For supporters following Shanghai SIPG’s season preparations and player updates, Crickex Login offers up-to-date news, squad insights, and match previews. Whether you’re tracking Oscar’s debut or the club’s title ambitions under Villas-Boas, Crickex Login keeps you in the loop with everything happening behind the scenes.