Avram Grant's world

Filed in archive Managers on April 17, 2008

It must be really nice in Avram Grant's world. He seems to be sheltered from all the nasty things going on around him. He feels no pressure, the players are totally behind him and the fans love him. That seems to be his current view of the situation.

Going in to tonight's must win game at Everton, he was asked if he was 'feeling the heat'. He said no. He said that nobody told him he must win a trophy this season, and he thought that most of the fans respected what he has achieved.

Out of favour defender Tel Ben Haim has criticised the manager saying, "I knew nothing good would come from Avram Grant being Chelsea coach."

Most people view these comments as being 'sour grapes' from a reserve player. That is what they are, but when Grant was asked about it he smiled and said that he would "talk to Tel." He was remarkably calm that another of his players had publicly attacked him.

The man is obviously very thick skinned. He certainly needs to be. Over the last two years John Terry and Frank Lampard were constantly in the press and on the television telling everyone what a great man and football genius their boss, Jose Mourinho, was. How many times have you heard either of them speak about Mr Grant? The only player I have heard speak highly of him was John Obi Mikel, and whilst that was nice, I don't think it is likely that he speaks for the whole dressing room.

Of course Grant can't openly admit that he has lost the dressing room, made mistakes that cost his team the Carling Cup, FA Cup and probably the Premier League. Of course he can't admit that he is disliked by a majority of the fans and is almost certainly out of his depth.

None of this is really Grant's fault. He was given the job to everyone's surprise, and for an untested manager taking over from a man who will always be a hero at Stamford Bridge, he hasn't really done a bad job.

I have mixed feelings about Avram Grant. I don't feel that he deserves the criticism he has had, but I also don't feel he is up to the job of managing one of the top four sides. If Chelsea don't win at Everton tonight the knives will be out once again. In some ways I have sympathy for that view but the man can't be blamed if his best is just not good enough.