
Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has launched a stinging attack on former club Chelsea, insisting he will never forget the way they unceremoniously dumped him.
Grant took over from Jose Mourinho in September 2007 and was handed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge three months later. Under the Israeli Chelsea lost just two league games, narrowly missing out on the Barclays Premier League title to Manchester United, who also beat them in the Champions League final on penalties.
"If I had been manager at the start of the season and we had played as well as we had finished the campaign, Chelsea not Manchester United would have been Premier League champions," Grant told the Mirror. "And how close were we from winning the Champions League? A penalty away."
He added: "So I can tell you with total honesty that I was not happy with the way they treated me in the end."
"There were a lot of negative things that happened, things I didn't like and find hard to forget.
"I was very proud of what I achieved at Chelsea but their big mistake was to take what I did for granted.
"I felt it was important the club had continuity and was looking towards long-term stability. I always believed that it would be easier in the second season. But I was never given the chance."
Grant will meet his former club next weekend when Portsmouth take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
Despite his broadside, Grant claims he still has many friends at Chelsea, including billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.
He added: "I appreciate the owner gave me the chance to manage and then he offered to make me a director which I declined. I don't forget that. There were many good things at Chelsea and I still have a great affection for the club. After Portsmouth beat Tottenham in the semi-final most of the Chelsea players sent me text messages."
I found that Chelsea was too harsh in sacking Grant too. He did a good job, to be honest, despite being second in almost every competition.
I can understand his anger.
frankly speaking he overachieved at chelsea, which I think they didnt expect. what they expect him to do is to take charge of chelsea till the end of the season, irregardless of what he achieved. more to the point, he is not a big name, which chelsea felt didnt suit them in their goal of becoming a global brand.
I hope he can take Portsmouth to 7th Heaven at the F.A Cup finial.
i found it strange that they fired him... he was achieving results albeit kinda dull in their play...
mourinho also got the team playing like that.. but then, he provided the fireworks off the pitch with his interviews and stuff.. Grant was just kinda dull and grey.. maybe they didn't like it that way coz i remember they wanted "sexy football" as well as results?
Bring Grant to Anfield.
Show Chelsea on what he is made of.
NO!
no Grant to Anfield!
I can understand why he's still pissed....
After all, Chelsea had a pretty good run under him.... they came close to winning the BPL, and they lost the Champions League final only through penalties.
Yeah, their football wasn't pretty, but 2nd place for both BPL and Champions League is not a bad result by any measure.
Fergie himself took several years to produce results. Some people just don't seem to understand that you can't always get good results overnight.
the FA cup final against portsmouth wont be a walk in the park.
portsmouth have lost everything. the FA cup is the only thing to them.
be prepared for an upset.
avramovich will still think he's justified in the sacking. Look what they have just gotten themselves: an EPL title lol
cogratz chelsea
avramovich will still think he's justified in the sacking. Look what they have just gotten themselves: an EPL title lol
A lot do think that it is harsh to give Avram Grant the sacking, since his result was not too bad. However the team are made up of professional players, they were kind of auto mode. Also Avram Grant was not able to get the result from the main rival, i.e he lost to Man United, wasn't that the factor why the BPL was lost. Pts are important against the main rivals.
Grant will lead liverpool to top 4 and winthe Europa league next season if he is appointed as liverpool manager , no kidding ![]()
Originally posted by Louis dave36:Grant will lead liverpool to top 4 and winthe Europa league next season if he is appointed as liverpool manager , no kidding
sure or not?
fat lot of good Scolari did before being taken over by Hiddink and then now Ancelotti...