Avram Grant - Dead Man Walking?

[happie chappie]

Well, I was at the game yesterday, and was very disappointed in Chelsea – especially as an attacking force. I thought at the time that the Mikel sending off was possibly a little harsh, but that Cole definitely should have been sent off - a far worse tackle, IMHO. Nothing I saw in the replays altered my opinion.

As to whether Grant will last long in charge. It largely depends on how the dressing room reacts. I’ve always thought that, often, players get managers sacked. It’s clear that at certain clubs, some players/groups of players have simply not played for a particular manager and, hey presto, he is given the boot. Then, miraculously, the same set of players start producing the goods for the new man.

If Grant does has the support of the players (or, at least, the majority and/or senior members of the squad), then the odds are results will pick up, and he’ll have longer to produce the goods. However, Abramovich’s reported target of two Champions’ League titles in the next six years is a very tough one, and there’s no way Grant will still be there if he fails to win the trophy in the first four years.

As for Chelsea fans reportedly booing Abramovich yesterday. Well, if he decides to up sticks and leave, then they will be fucked a la Leeds United, and it won’t really matter who manages them.

Happie Chappie

 

[London_Calling]

He's got more than a hint of Les Reed about him already, i think.

 

[Sunray]

You might be able to buy the Premiership, but winning in a knock out competition against the best players in Europe is going to be nearly impossible to guarantee by anyone apart from a convincing liar.

Your taking on the best teams in Europe that have some serious pedigree. Walk onto the pitch and have a slightly off day as can happen to any side and its curtains, have a bad one and your going to get thumped 5-0.

 

[revol68]

You might be able to buy the Premiership, but winning in a knock out competition against the best players in Europe is going to be nearly impossible to guarantee by anyone apart from a convincing liar.

Your taking on the best teams in Europe that have some serious pedigree. Walk onto the pitch and have a slightly off day as can happen to any side and its curtains, have a bad and your going to get thumped 5-0.

Since when did Bond villians set realistic targets that won't inevitably fail?

 

[andy2002]

He's got more than a hint of Les Reed about him already, i think.

Les Dawson more like.

 

[andy2002]

As for Chelsea fans reportedly booing Abramovich yesterday. Well, if he decides to up sticks and leave, then they will be fucked a la Leeds United, and it won’t really matter who manages them.

Depends who he sells up to - it isn't as if he's the only wealthy backer in the world is it? A few have already followed Abramovich to the Premiership in the last four years (Villa, United, Liverpool, Man City).

Personally, I'd like him to piss off asap and take Kenyon, Buck, Grant et al with him...

 

[Deareg]

Depends who he sells up to - it isn't as if he's the only wealthy backer in the world is it? A few have already followed Abramovich to the Premiership in the last four years (Villa, United, Liverpool, Man City).

Personally, I'd like him to piss off asap and take Kenyon, Buck, Grant et al with him...

dont know about the others, but the glazers are at old trafford to make money, if abramovich sells up it is unlikely that you will get someone else so ready to throw his money around

 

[stupid kid]

Well if Ingerland win in Russia next month Hiddink will prob lose the Russian job,at the moment Chelsea are the only so called big club available for him to manage,Im sure £5million a year would very persuasive,did anyone see Terry try and prevent the ref from producing the red card for Mikel yesterday?

That was really funny. What was he going to do once he'd taken the red card?

 

[Gingerman]

That was really funny. What was he going to do once he'd taken the red card?

Im surprised the ref did'nt book the fucker,def a bookable offence,Terry likes to ref games doesn't he?

 

[ramjamclub]

Apparently van Basten was in the directors box at the game yesterday , could Chelsea be after him ?

I don't think so, he is Team Coach of Holland.

 

[ZAMB]

I hope UEFA turn this joker down - although Mr. Moneybags will probably offer to build them a couple of stadiums or something and get round it.

Chelsea apply for Grant exception
By Jason Burt
Published: 24 September 2007
Chelsea will apply to the European governing body, Uefa, for dispensation to allow Avram Grant to remain as manager as he does not have the necessary qualifications.

The requirement will further undermine the credibility of the 52-year-old, who has not coached outside Israel before, with the former Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly adding to the chorus of doubts yesterday.

"I was surprised Grant got the job," he said. "He doesn't have the experience but is motivated. He has to say 'It's about the future now and I'm in charge'. It will be difficult – Mourinho was loved by the players, that's why he was still in the job after last season."

Grant has managed the Israeli national team but his experience of the Champions League amounts to six qualifying games. He needs the Uefa pro-licence to manage the club for more than 12 weeks, which takes 240 hours of study.

The Premier League has shown flexibility in the past. Extensions were given to Glenn Roeder on health grounds at Newcastle and to Middlesbrough's Gareth Southgate, who claimed his playing career limited his opportunities. Aston Villa's Martin O'Neill has an exemption until 2010 after taking a five-day refresher course in coaching.

http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/news/article2993371.ece

 

[London_Calling]

I hadn't paid any notice of him until yesterday, and the first thing that struck me was ''oh, a smoker in a tracksuit' - just has that oxygen-deprived, dried out skin palour thing that people get.

Tracksuits just don't work for some people do they, esp. when they're in their 50s and smoke like he must.

 

[fear-n-loathing]

grant will win fuck all with chelsea this season

 

[ZAMB]

grant will win fuck all with chelsea this season

What? No champions league? That leaves them only 5 years to win it twice to suit Roman's 10 year plan - and without quite a few of their standout players who want out. Will any decent manager or players want to move there after the night of the long knives?

Would the Russian method of retribution be used on Kenyon if Roman's objectives aren't achieved in 10 years? I thought he looked so nervous in that press conference that I reckon he'll be the next to go - after Grant he won't hang around long.

I was under the impression that Grant was a long time friend of Abramovich, but apparently they were introduced only a couple of years ago at an Ireland/Israel match.

Surprised too to hear that Grant's wife is a big movie/TV star back in Israel. Somehow he doesn't look the glamourous type.

 

[Sunray]

Poisoned chalice I forgot that the've not lost at home for 60 games. Some home record and I reckon if he's got any sense I'd lose at home straight away just to lower the pressure.

 

[Maltin]

Someone mentioned earlier about Terry thinking he can get away with what he wants by trying to physically stop the ref giving Mikel a red card.

It looks like it's in the ref's report and hopefully he'll get charged.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7012337.stm

If I was the ref I would have sent him off there and then.

 

[Sunray]

I watched the game earlier. I now consider Chelsea a running joke and I wonder if they can stop themselves being a long running joke come the end of the season.

I was struck with the realisation that the Chairman weilds far too much power for his own or the clubs good. I can't imagine what sort of pressure the staff and players are under.

It was brought in stark contrast on MOTD2, after being very warmly thanked by an 85 year old supporter for what he had done for the club, Steve Gibson said he tried to make the club progress year on year but didn't make any decisions with regard to the team as there was pressure enough.

 

[ZAMB]

WoW, despite their own rules, Grant is going to be allowed to coach a CL team. Can't say I'm surprised - money talks.

Sir Alex is, apparently, going to appeal against this decision.

And NOW they'll slash prices for cup matches!!!! They're desperate to make Grant look like a success.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...all.html?in_article_id=484121&in_page_id=1779

 

[Streathamite]

It was brought in stark contrast on MOTD2, after being very warmly thanked by an 85 year old supporter for what he had done for the club, Steve Gibson said he tried to make the club progress year on year but didn't make any decisions with regard to the team as there was pressure enough.

IMO steve Gibson is just about the best chairman in the EPL

 

[Maltin]

The News of the World thinks that Steve Clarke is leaving soon.

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/3009_avram.shtml

 

[gnoriac]

Well on their way to Abramovich being fleeced with a squad full of turkeys like Shevchenko and Ben-Haim. Wonder how much Drogba's sending off was his way of finding a way out? And what's the betting once Mourinho finds a new job, Drogba, Lampard and anyone else worth having join him there?

 

[g force]

Depends where he can go...not many clubs will get rid of a manager this early in the season. Rumours of Inter, but Mancini's just beaten Roma 4-1 so doubtful.

Sevilla maybe if Ramos moves to Spurs?

 

[lights.out.london]

I've asked every Chelski fan I know - where were you when you were shit?

If this bump in the road for them becomes something more serious, let's see how many still pay through the nose for Chelski at home.

 

[Badgers]

Did not see the game but was mildly amused by the report in the Independent which said something along the lines of:

Avram Grant was trying to shout orders at his team but was drowned out by the Chelsea fans shouting the name Jose Mourinho over and over again

 

[London_Calling]

This is of more concern than chanting Mourinho's name:

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck says the club will not tolerate what he deemed as abuse bordering on racism directed by fans at manager Avram Grant.

Israeli Grant, 52, has succeeded Jose Mourinho as Chelsea boss and his side drew 0-0 with Fulham on Saturday.

"We welcome constructive points of view but we've had a few which could be seen as racist and anti-Semitic," said Buck.

"This is one thing we will not tolerate whether written, on banners, or through singing and it must stop immediately."

And the club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, who sat with fans in the upper tier of the Shed stand instead of his private box, was forced to endure their taunts.

"Just a few racist and anti-Semitic chants" - what Chelsea matches does he go to ?

Link

 

[Streathamite]

I'm beginning to feel sorry for Grant - he really is on a hiding to nothing.
I'm still astonished at how badly RA has handled this

 

[Badgers]

I can't see anyone wanting this job now....

Suppose Grant will stick it out as he will not want to resign any more than Chelski will want to sack him..... Egg on face and all that!!

Is Graham Taylor available?

 

[nino_savatte]

I'm beginning to feel sorry for Grant - he really is on a hiding to nothing.
I'm still astonished at how badly RA has handled this

What's the betting he pulls a "Romanov" and decides to run the whole show by himself?

 

[ZAMB]

What's the betting he pulls a "Romanov" and decides to run the whole show by himself?

It's already started - from Sunday's Observer

At the end of a week in which the Blues' billionaire owner took over the office at the Cobham training ground Avram Grant used in his former role as director of football, and his chosen coach made sparse progress in quelling resistance to his accession, Chelsea's self-inflicted misery deepened.

The oligarch has become a regular attendee at first-team training in the aftermath of Mourinho's dismissal as manager 12 days ago and he selected a team for Grant to face Manchester United in last weekend's 2-0 loss at Old Trafford.

So now he's his own Director of football - someone who saw his first match 4 years ago.

Abramovich is understood to have received unfavourable reports on Grant's coaching methods from club staff, one of whom describes them as '25 years behind the times'. The Israeli has not helped his cause by using training drills that many players believe to be outdated when compared to the cutting-edge methods they had become accustomed to under Mourinho. According to a source, at least one member of Grant's coaching staff has told friends that he will consider leaving the club if there is no further change in management.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/sport/story/0,,2180375,00.html

 

[ZAMB]

And it gets worse

To add to the crisis, respected coach Steve Clarke will QUIT the Blues in a fortnight.

"Under Mourinho, training was exciting and inspirational, it was different every day," said the player. "But since he left, training has been amateurish. In one session this week we were asked to get the ball and just dribble round a cone.

"Some of the players said they hadn't been asked to do that since they were 14 years old.

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/3009_avram.shtml