Chelsea's new manager looks certain to be Andre Villas-Boas after he quit as manager of FC Porto.

Porto confirmed in a statement that their treble winning manager Villas-Boas resigned on Tuesday after reportedly faxing his resignation to the club.

It leaves him with a clear path to Chelsea, though there is the matter of a €15 million release clause in his contract, which Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is expected to meet.

Porto said in the statement that though they had received his resignation, Villas-Boas contract wouldn't be terminated until the compensation clause is met.

The statement read, Porto has been notified of the intention of coach Andre Villas Boas to terminate, without just cause, his contract with the club, immediately activating his release clause.

Villas-Boas is now, according to reports, expected to sign an initial two-year deal with Chelsea. His first signing is believed to be Porto's striker Falcao with him. Falcao scored 17 goals in 14 games for Porto in the Europa League last season, setting a new scoring record.

Hainv been a part of Jose Mourinho's back room staff at Chelsea between 2004-2007, Villas-Boas will have a thorough understanding of how English football works and how to face the trigger-happy Roman Abramovich.

Soccer