In a breaking news story that will come as a surprise to few, Chelsea has terminated the contract of manager Avram Grant with immediate effect.
Having signed a four year deal in December, it looks like the Israeli will be heading out of Stamford Bridge with a healthy severance deal.
But the real question is: what mistakes has he made that have cost him his job? And are the expectations of the Premier League's foreign owners too high for first-season managers?
Following the most charismatic man in football was always going to be a tough act to follow.
When Avram Grant stepped into Chelsea's hot seat in September, the West London club was fifth in the league and in a lukewarm run of form, having just drawn 1-1 with Rosenborg.
Grant's appointment came as a shock to many, with some arguing he was merely put into place to agree with Abramovich and act on his whims and expecting a Chelsea plummet down the league.
Despite this, Avram Grant defied all expectations to feature with a charge up the table and a great run in Europe, challenging for both the domestic and Champions League title going into the respective competition's final games.
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However, it was clear from the outset that Grant was never going to last.
His apparent lack of passion and questionable tactical nous left many fans feeling disillusioned, despite their club's commendable league position and continual grinding out of results.
Rumors of his dismissal were continual throughout his tenure, and for many, it was a question of when rather than if. Nevertheless, Avram Grant achieved something that Mourinho never could: reaching a European final.
Having also gone into the Premier League's final round with a chance of the title, was too much asked of the Israeli without ever having the reins for a full season?
Grant didn't get the chance for a summer's transfer dealings. He didn't get the chance to make his own team. And he didn't get the chance to prove his doubters wrong.
Don't get me wrong, I also questioned his appointment. But if Abramovich always intended to find a new man at the end of the season, why give him a long-term contract in the winter?
Thaksin Shinawatra has made Eriksson's position untenable with ridiculous attempts to sack him. Abramovich has done similarly and forced his man out of a job despite a more than respectable showing this year.
It has been proven that consistency brings success. Ferguson and Wenger are both world-class managers but have also been given the opportunity to prove themselves.
Grant must have always felt his job was insecure no matter what he did. It is a shame, though, that he produced a sound effort to rebuild following Mourinho and paid the price of just missing out on the pinnacle of European football.
One must wonder whether a missed penalty cost a man his job.
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3 months ago
what did he do wrong? one word. NOTHING.
His sacking shows all that is wrong with football today. managers are expected to perform miracles.
good article mate.
from 3 months ago
Cheers Michael - I think you're quite right. The question is, what can be done to change things?
3 months ago
a rule which basically requires a manager to have one full calender year at least, before he can be sacked. so many managers get sacked before they have thier stamp on the team, how can chelsea be expected to comeback and win the title next year when the players have got ANOTHER manager. four managers since roman has bought the club. it's ridiculous.
from 3 months ago
That would be ridiculous bruv. That means if Chelsea wanted to sack Grant, they'd have to wait untill september to do it and then cause another season of turmoil and unstabillity.
3 months ago
Grant definetely deserved another crack next season but I dont believe any of you that say you didnt see it coming. Chelsea went about doing it in totally the wrong way, but nontheless, it was always going to be done...
3 months ago
yes, but he might have a 100% record in the league by september, wouldn't be complaining then would we?
from 3 months ago
If you bother going through any of my previous articles about Grant, I've always stated that 'whatever he achieves' this season, he will have to go. I would have stood by the opinion, even if we pipped United to the title AND won the CL final...
What will happen when Grant starts buying his own players? Anelka hasn't paid off (which not Anelka's fault) because Grant insists on playing him out of position or giving him a 10 min run out at the end of games. Ivanovic? No one has seen or heard of him since he joined.
I applaud Grant for what he's done. He's done wonders with what he given time and support-wise but to assume that will continue I think is wrong. He has barely had to pick his team, due to the long injury list and ACN.
3 months ago
who's ivanovic? i wasn't aware he'd signed anyone else.
from 3 months ago
He paid something in the region of 8M for him...
from 3 months ago
He partners Vidic a lot for Serbia and is a defender in the same mould. Played against the Rep.of Ireland the other night and had a solid game. Then again, Kevin Doyle was up front us....jeez!
Very surprised we havent seen him yet. But its very hard to break into the Chelsea defence. Not exactly a problem area for them.
3 months ago
Yeah I think the sack was a bit unfair. 3inches more to the left then Grant and Drugba could stay as heros.
3 months ago
he got the sack cause he looks too much like a sith lord, Darth Avram.
3 months ago
oh yeah and its his fault terry slipped
3 months ago
To me he always looked and felt like a caretaker manager...I know that wasn't strictly the case but they can now look for their star name.
3 months ago
It was always going to be tough for him.
If he succeeded then it would be Mourinho's team that succeeded.
If he failed then he would have messed up Mourinho's team.
I think it's quite sad that some people want a flamboyant manager, like a peacock, to manage them rather than have someone who produces results.
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