Haven't We Heard This Before? Why Avram Grant's Chelsea Future Might Be Sealed

Let me spin a yarn for you.

A very popular (and charismatic) top-flight manager leaves his club, having won the league in his tenure. Despite his status amongst the fans, he is forced to quit due to unresolvable differences with the chairman. 

Having made his departure, much to the disappointment of the fans, a virtually unknown member of the coaching staff steps into the position to a decidedly mixed response from the supporters.

In his first season at the club, the new boss struggles to win over the club's faithful, who are still reeling from the shock departure of one of their favourites. 

Despite an ultimately disappointing league campaign in which his side fail to live up to past glories, he experiences great success in Europe.

Nevertheless, the fans simply cannot warm to him and so follows the inevitable decline of his stint in charge.

You could be forgiven for thinking that a certain Israeli's recent past is being described. 

But, in fact, it seems that history is destined to repeat itself.

The name Tony Barton might not ring too many bells with this generation of young football fans, but it was he who managed Aston Villa to their only European Cup success in 1983. 

However, with the unenviable task of replacing Villa hero Ron Saunders at the helm, he was sacked the following season after failing to perform in the league. He then disappeared into obscurity after brief stints at Northampton, Southampton and Portsmouth.

Could it be that Avram's Chelsea tenure is set to follow the same route?

A European Cup success will by no means ensure a rise in his popularity and living in Mr. Mourinho's shadow must be withering his staying power.

It certainly seems that Avram Grant simply cannot succeed whilst the Chelsea fans still reminisce about the "glory days" of the Special One's reign.

He still has time to turn it around, but I fear that the tale of Tony may yet be one that will continue to crop up in the months to come.