Chelsea Sack Avram Grant…….Ruthless or Inevitable?
May 24, 2008 by CLDsport
So, the news that the footballing community seemed to predict months ago has come to fruition. Chelsea have sacked their manager Avram Grant just 8 months into his 4-year contract.
Grant’s demise has come as no surprise to many. I for one did not think he would be at the helm at Stamford Bridge next season. But why?
The Israeli took over from the departing Mourinho (AKA ‘The Special One’) in December after joining the club as Director of Football last summer. First reactions were Avram who? Grant never seemed to win over the media, or fans alike - despite only losing two premiership games while in charge.
A statement on the club’s website read:
“Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September. We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made.”
Chelsea have finished runners-up in the Premier League, the Champions League, and the League Cup this season. It seems as though being runners-up will not be tolerated by the Chelsea board.
Following the ‘Special One’ always made the job a tough one for Grant. Mourinho was a media dream. Cocky, arrogant, and with an aura of confidence and success. Mourinho had the likeability factor and spent most weeks on the back pages of newspapers with his latest outburst. You either loved him or despised him - but either way, you were talking about him.
Chelsea fans have become frustrated with Grant’s style of football - many saying that the team had ‘no style’. But, did he not get the results? Is that not what is most important?
Grant’s achievements should not be taken lightly. He lead the team from a lacklustre 3rd place in the league, to a fantastic last-ditch attempt at finishing above United - something that looked almost impossible, but almost became a reality. He also took his team to their first EVER Champions League final, and were unlucky not to win it - and probably deserved to do so. But, his personality never seemed to fit at Chelsea. Grant and the media never bonded, and this was clearly obvious during his bizarre interview with the press following the 1-0 win over Everton on 17th April.
Does a club like Chelsea need a big personality as a manager?
The next question is: who will replace Grant? There have been many possibilities mentioned in recent weeks (proof once again that everyone expected Grant to go), including Mancini, Rijkaard, Hiddink and Eriksson.
Roberto Mancini’s future has also been shrouded in mystery, but recent reports have suggested he is intending on staying with Inter. Frank Rijkaard has parted company with Barcelona and is available, but has had a disappointing season with the Catalan giants. Sven Goran Eriksson is still employed at Man City - but there are strong reports that he will be sacked this summer. The Swede has also been linked with Chelsea before he took the job at City.
The strangest reports are that odds have been slashed for a dramatic return to Chelsea for …….. Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach has recently been quoted as saying he expects to have a job by June - after he failed to take up a new job in the time since his departure from the Bridge. Odds are now 8/1 for the return. Could Mourinho really be on his way back? Chelsea fans would surely love this - but it seems a little too crazy to me!
I’ll be honest though - I’d love to see Mourinho back on Match of the Day on a Saturday night!
Links: Chelsea Website | Avram Grant Profile | Grant’s Bizarre Interview | Other Avram Grant News
Chelsea should bring back Mourinho. The guy just adds so much intensity to the league.