The real AVB

MAN OF THE PEOPLE ... AVB has been hailed by his former players

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS is a kind, caring and compassionate boss who goes to extraordinary lengths to look after his players.

He is generous, thoughtful, understanding and devoted to delivering only the very best for his men.

Sound familiar? Not recently perhaps, considering all the reports of rifts and unrest at Chelsea under boss AVB.

But a host of his former players have given glowing testimonies to what the 34-year-old coach has done for them in a new book called 'The Phenomenon Villas-Boas'.

And none are more emotional than the tragic account of midfielder Miguel Pedro, who played for Villas-Boas at Academica in Portugal.

Sadly, Pedro's wife lost twins during a pregnancy while Villas-Boas was in charge.

But he says his boss could not have done more to help him and his family during that traumatic time.

Pedro said: "As soon as he heard what was happening, he came to me in the early hours of the morning.

"I was alone and he offered to stay the night. He also moved mountains so that my wife could have the best assistance.

"He spoke to the doctors, got the head nurse to deal with it, he mobilised the whole hospital.

"He also spoke to doctors he knew and trusted and gave me feedback, every detail.

"He tried everything to save my children.

"I never thought someone who had only known me a few weeks could do so much for me.

"I never thought anyone could do that for me.

"He did everything that was within his reach but he couldn't achieve the impossible."

Unfortunately, the Pedro twins could not be saved but Villas-Boas remained a tower of strength for Miguel and his wife.

Pedro added: "He felt everything with me, suffered with me.

"At the funeral, he said 'You're strong and will be able to win through' — I'll never forget that.

"He gave me nearly a month off to recover with the family and he rang me every day.

"He even arranged a clinic for my wife to recuperate and to have treatment so she could have children again — and all without cost to us.

"So I'm extremely grateful to him and for everything he's taught me in football. But, above all, for what he did for me and my family."

There is a happy ending too because, months later, Pedro's wife became pregnant again — expecting a daughter.

He said: "When I rang him to tell him, we cried on the phone. It was a very strong moment between us.

"We have kept very strong links ever since."

Not least because Villas-Boas agreed to become godfather of the baby girl.

Pedro added: "We still talk and exchange messages and I can only wish him the best.

"What is happening to him now is just the result of his goodness, his way of being, of wanting to help everyone, of promoting good.

"That's the way he is, spontaneous and natural. What he does, he does with his heart."

Pedro's story is by far the most dramatic and moving.

But there are plenty of other former players who pay glowing tributes to their ex-manager.

Former Academica midfielder Jonathan Bru, 26, recalls: "For me he was above all a leader, but also a friend.

"He often paid for our meals and I remember he even gave up part of his bonuses so us players could be better rewarded.

"He's someone who recognises and knows how to reward those who work. He's also very intelligent and adapts quickly.

"His door is always open.

"He's young but he has already experienced things that maybe coaches with 15 years of a career behind them have never experienced and will never experience."

Former Academica striker Sougou recalls how Villas-Boas bought him tickets to watch his favourite side Marseille.

Sougou said: "He told me 'I hear you are a big fan of Marseille'.

"I told him I was and he got seats for me and my wife for their game at Benfica.

"He gave us the will, confidence and self-belief and we wanted to win every game.

"We knew we would be better and stronger with him."

AVB was the same at Porto too.

When striker Hulk's niece died in a domestic accident, Villas-Boas immediately gave him compassionate leave to go back to his native Brazil — even though the tragedy happened just hours before Hulk was due to play in a game against Genk in August last year.

Porto went on to win and Villas-Boas dedicated the team's win to his star frontman.

Hulk rewarded the gesture on his return, scoring a hat-trick in the second leg.

A caring Villas-Boas said: "It was good for him to have some moments of joy after the enormous sadness.

"His mourning will take time to pass and we respect that a lot."

Sounds like the Chelsea manager himself deserves a bit of respect too.