Soccer News: Chelsea Fires Manager Avram Grant
A berth in the Soccer Betting Champions League final and a second place finish in the Premier League was not enough for Chelsea manager Avram Grant, as he was fired on Saturday.
The loss to Manchester United in the Champions League final seemed to seal his fate. “Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September,” the club said, “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.” Grant took over for Jose Mourinho in September and did a fine job but coming away without a title was not acceptable for Chelsea. Owner Roman Abramovich has said that he wants a more exciting style of play and a trophy. Grant was facing an uphill battle replacing the popular Mourinho, especially after Mourinho led the Blues to back to back league titles.
It is possible that Grant may have been fired even if Chelsea had won the Champions League final. The heart-breaking loss on penalty kicks to United definitely made it easier for the club to let him go. “I took on the job at a very difficult time, but Chelsea have pulled the plug on me,” Grant said, “I feel very hurt, upset and angry.” Grant may not be out of work for long. He has been tabbed to take over at Manchester City.
Many of the biggest names in soccer are being mentioned as possible replacements for Grant at Chelsea. The list includes FC Barcelona’s Frank Rijkaard, Inter Milan’s Roberto Mancini, Russia’s Guus Hiddink, Manchester City’s Sven-Goran Eriksson, Portugal’s Luis Felipe Scolari, former Italy coach Marcello Lippi, Blackburn’s Mark Hughes, and even Mourinho could return.
“It’s different than managing any other club,” said former Chelsea head man Glenn Hoddle, who led the team from 1993-96. “You can understand if someone is putting that amount of finances into a club, he wants a say. I think this is where football and business really are different. Whoever they go for will be high profile and for me, whoever comes in, you know the wicket is going to be a sticky wicket if you want (to make) every single decision.”
