Avram Grant- Yes. No. Maybe.
April 18, 2008
Imagine you are an up and coming stand up comic. You’re approaching a gig in front of a sell out audience, and you are second on the bill. The 1st comic hasn’t shown up yet, his identity shrouded in mystery. Then Peter Kay steps out of the dressing room, bounds on stage and performs a rip-roaring 30 minute set that leaves the audience rolling in the aisles, unable to control their delight. Even the press and the critics are giggling uncontrollably and the minute Kay leaves, they miss him. So it’s your turn, and the usual nerves have just been kidnapped by a deep sense of dejection and bitterness. It’s hard to imagine you’re slightly dour, deadpan delivery will go down a storm after what has gone before you. There’s a faint smell of metal emanating from the corner- the critics are sharpening their knives.
An elaborate tale, I’ll admit, but I bet this is how Avram Grant must feel after following Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager. His latest press conference after the 1-0 win over Everton on Thursday night seemed to suggest the bitterness and frustration he may harbour, has surfaced. At the bottom of this article is the link to the transcript of Mr Grant’s 5 minutes of awkwardness with the written press. As someone who has interviewed football managers for radio, all I can is I am glad it wasn’t me in the pressroom at Goodison!
It must be hard to follow Jose Mourinho. The Chelsea fans adored him, neutral fans couldn’t help but be tickled by him, and even the press waxed lyrical over their ‘special one’. When it was muted that Mourinho was in the running for the England job, everyone was salivating. He filled column inches with quotes worth their weight in gold, and clearly commanded the respect of the Chelsea squad- almost to an hypnotic extent. So when it was reported that Roman Abramovich had hired a relatively unknown man, but a close personal friend to the helm of Stamford Bridge, the cynics were given all the ammunition they needed- and it hasn’t stopped.
A good record, one to match Mourinho’s at times, hasn’t abated the criticism. A semi final appearance in the Champions League? Not enough. 2nd in the league? You should be top. Out of the cup to Barnsley? I think we need a chat…
A champions league win, and a (albeit unlikely) Premiership title, will surely end most of the flack hurled at the Israeli. But the main criticism seems to be aimed at his personality. He is perceived as a dour, grey character, who doesn’t have the same sex appeal as his predecessor. Mourinho had lucrative endorsements with numerous companies, including an expensive range of watches. Grant is unlikely to appear in a brooding, arty advert anytime soon.
So what can he do? Well in my opinion, he can do more interviews like the one transcribed below. Be a bit unpredictable. Be sarcastic at times. Be almost brutally blunt. Mourinho certainly was on occasions, and it helped add to his notoriety. There is already lots of reaction to his interview (including this article) so it seems to have worked. People are discussing Grant now, with polarised opinions. He might even go into his next interview and exclaim- Garlic Bread?! Maybe not…
http://msn.football365.com/story/0,17033,13852_3439220,00.html
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2 Responses to “Avram Grant- Yes. No. Maybe.”
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Love your article - especially the comparison you make at the beginning!!
Do you think Avram Grant will still be in charge next season? I’m not sure, but read that he will be given at least 1 full season to prove himself. Got to give the guy a chance I guess!
In all honesty he hasn’t got a bad record. But, like you say, he’s constantly being compared to the ’special one’.
I think we all miss Mourinho in a way!
Hi John,
Thanks for your kind comments. Just wondering what your thoughts are now, with Grant now gone? I must admit it took me a little by surprise, and I think Abramovich is running the club like he would any business- if he doesn’t get immediate results, heads roll. Football is so different to a regular business though because of form, injuries etc, meaning that such an attitude looks incredibly cut throat, and slightly out of place.
Who are you tipping for the next manager? Personally I think Mancini will be at the Bridge, with Mourinho in at Inter Milan. I just hope whoever takes on the job at Chelsea doesn’t get Barnsley in the F.A Cup!