Andre Villas-Boas withdraws from Dakar Rally after being hospitalised

Andre Villas-Boas was hospitalised on Tuesday due to back pain sustained in an accident when the Overdrive Toyota driver hit a dune in the Dakar Rally.

Andre Villas-Boas’ Dakar Rally debut ended in the fourth stage after the former Chelsea and Tottenham manager was taken to hospital following a crash.

Toyota driver Andre Villas-Boas of Portugal waves at podium ramp during the Dakar Rally ceremonial start in Lima on Saturday. (AP)

Villas-Boas was hospitalised on Tuesday due to back pain sustained in an accident when the Overdrive Toyota driver hit a dune during the San Juan de Marcona stage in Peru, according to reports.

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“Andre was taken to the hospital with a back injury. It was unfortunate for Andre, who was making a very positive debut in the Dakar,” Overdrive team director Jean-Marc Fortin was quoted as saying.

Overdrive Toyota's Portuguese driver Andre Villas-Boas and his co-driver Ruben Faria compete during the Stage 1 of the 2018 Dakar Rally between Lima and Pisco. (AFP)

Villas Boas surprisingly turned his attention from football to motorsport and the Dakar Rally following his departure from Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG.

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The 40-year-old Portuguese head coach led SIPG to second in the CSL last season and the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League in his first year in charge, before being replaced by countryman Vitor Pereira.