• Russian Premier League

Villas-Boas defends Chelsea and Spurs records

Andre Villas-Boas has been unveiled as Zenit St Petersburg's new manager © Getty Images

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Andre Villas-Boas has suggested he deserves some of the credit for Chelsea's shock 2012 Champions League triumph.

Chelsea sacked Villas-Boas in March 2012 after less than a year in charge at Stamford Bridge, following their 3-1 first leg defeat at Napoli in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Under his replacement, Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea went on to win the competition.

Having been unveiled as Russian Premier League side Zenit St Petersburg's new manager today, Villas-Boas also defended his record at Tottenham, who sacked him in December in the wake of a 5-0 home thrashing by Liverpool. Spurs missed out on fourth place under Villas-Boas by just a point last season.

"I achieved success in all of my teams. I won four titles with Porto, reached the Champions League quarter-finals with Chelsea, and the team later won the trophy," said Villas-Boas.

"Tottenham had a good run in the Premier League. There were some mistakes, but the results are clear for all to see. As for my exit from Tottenham, there were contract issues there.

"I got an offer from Zenit last week, and the negotiations were fruitful. I was easy to agree, and I am glad to be here."

Meanwhile, Zenit president Aleksandr Dyukov denied that Villas-Boas will get an annual salary of €8.5 million (£7m), and that Portuguese forward Hulk, who played under his compatriot at Porto, had been involved in the appointment. He said: "These reports are way too high.

"The fact that AVB knows Hulk and other Portuguese players was taken into consideration, but wasn't the most important.

"I am surprised to hear reports that Hulk was involved in the negotiations - that is not true.

"The important thing is that his footballing philosophy suits us and that he is a qualified specialist who knows how to get his ideas to players."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd