Villas-Boas survives first Dakar stage

Having coached in the unforgiving English Premier League and worked with the explosive Jose Mourinho, soccer manager Andre Villas-Boas should have few problems confronting the 9,000km Dakar Rally.

The Portuguese (pictured, far right) made his debut in motorsport’s most grueling endurance event behind the wheel of a Toyota 4x4 on Saturday.

The former Shanghai SIPG boss steered clear of danger to end the first stage in 46th place, 11 minutes off the pace. Qatar’s two-time winner Nasser al-Attiyah leads the way.