The Beautiful Game: Avram Grant's Dismissal and the High Bar for Chelsea Managers
The beautiful game, innit? Many footy fans would say that getting into the Champions League and reaching a European final is a bloody successful season. But apparently that ain't enough to keep your job at Chelsea, as Avram Grant found out the hard way back in 2008. Despite securing a second-place finish in the Premier League and taking the club to two major finals, Roman Abramovich gave him the boot. Harsh, mate.
The Current State of Affairs
Fast forward to today and the current gaffer, Enzo Maresca, is sitting pretty. He's led the Blues to fourth place and has a chance to win the Europa Conference League. But he knows he's gotta keep performing or he'll get the sack, just like Grant did.
The Odds Were Stacked Against Grant From the Start
The Israeli coach had the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of the legendary Jose Mourinho. Grant was seen as under-qualified, but he managed to prove his doubters wrong by taking the Blues on a 16-game unbeaten run. He even got a new four-year contract out of it. But the big moments proved to be his undoing.
The Heartbreak of Losing Out on Trophies
Grant's side lost in the FA Cup and League Cup, missing out on the trophies they had won the season before under Mourinho. They also fell short in the Premier League, missing out on the title on the final day. And to top it all off, they lost the Champions League final to Manchester United in a penalty shootout. Brutal.
The Sacking and the Aftermath
Despite his 66.7% win record and never losing a home game, Grant's failures in the big moments cost him his job. Abramovich offered him the chance to return to his old job as Director of Football, but he turned it down. Can't blame him, really. He later managed Portsmouth and West Ham, suffering back-to-back relegations from the Premier League. Ouch.
Reflecting on His Time at Chelsea
Despite the harsh dismissal, Grant later reflected fondly on his time at Stamford Bridge. He said that he was proud of everything he achieved and that the team played some of their best football under his leadership. Fair play to him for staying positive despite the setbacks.
