Villas-Boas departs SIPG after rocky year

Truculent coach failed to meet expectations with Shanghai club

SHANGHAI - Andre Villas-Boas left Shanghai SIPG on Thursday after the Portuguese coach failed to lead the big-spending CSL club to a trophy in his turbulent first season in China.

The 40-year-old, who will drive in the Dakar Rally in January, saw his side lose last Sunday's Chinese FA Cup final to underdog Shanghai Shenhua and had frequent run-ins with the association.