Chelsea fans: do you want Avram Grant out?

The boos rang out at half-time at Stamford Bridge and then again at the final whistle. It seems second in the Premier League and a chance, albeit slim, of winning the title is not enough. The supporters have spoken.

Or have they?

Is this the true voice of Chelsea? Does Avram Grant deserve the sack? He inherited a team that his predecessor, Jose Mourinho, built - and we all know what happened to him.

Doesn't the manager deserve at least a full season to prove his worth? Or does his bland, workmanlike style of football turn you off?

We already know what Arsenal think: the majority feel Arsene Wenger should stay despite not winning a trophy this season because of the entertainment he provides.

No flair and no silverware is obviously too much to bear in west London. So vote now: should Grant be sacked or spared?

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Comments

[Wolfie]

Looks like a lot of non Chelsea fans are voting NO on this poll whereas I suspect many Chelsea fans are clicking the yes button. get rid and get rid now.

[Ron Murray]

so here are the facts:
second place on the premiership (2 points only from Man. United) and semi finals in the champions league.

We all were surprised when Mr. Grant has gotten the keys from RA to be the front man of Chelsea. With no time to settle the team, to build strategy and to not having the option to choose players, Grant started to coach this team and let's be fair, his results are not so bad at all!

If JM stayed and countinued coaching the team, do you really think it would be in the same place? I say not. Chelsea was in very bad condition when Grand has taken the wheel.

I do agree that Chelsea needs a world-class coach that have much experience. But at least I would expect the fans to try supporting their club (and Grant) with all their hearts until the end of the season.

I wish Mr. grant much success in chelsea and in any other team, I think he has done a good job, and maybe in few more years, with some experience to come, he will be legit in the fans' eyes to be the front man of a premiership team. And as for us - I hope we will be more patient in the future to new managers and give them some credit before we criticize them without checking the facts and their results.

[David F]

All we need ask is that if Mr Grant was to leave Chelsea tomorrow, what other club would wish to obtain his services? I would suggest very few indeed.

[JASON WATERS]

Should Avram Grant be sacked? My opinion, no. It would be wrong to sack a man who is currently in control of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. I'm not a Chelsea fan, and I didn't agree with Jose's sacking, but to sack Avram as well, would be great for their rivals. The same problems will arise next season if they do, the same old whinging about not winning anything, managers in this league need time to settle.

Avram Grant has brought in 2 players in the form of Nicolas Anelka, and the yet to be seen Ivanovic, is it fair to judge him on this basis?

Mourinho clearly had not built a team to the Premiership, and I believe Grant has done better than Mourinho would have done, even if the Special One was invincible at one time or another, and is still a world class manager.

Abravomich and Chelsea fans need to be patient, you look at the success of Manchester United and Arsenal in the past, they have the same managers as they did 10 years ago, 20 years ago in United's case.

I think if Grant is given the opportunity to manage Chelsea next season, and given a decent transfer budget, he will revolutionize them, and establish a force to be reckoned with.

The fact that Grant won 10 games in a row in the Premier League speaks for itself, with a team that isn't even really his. Give him time Chelsea, don't ruin another great manager.

[Zee]

Jose was the best thing that happened to chelsea for a long time but everyone kept going on about that we bought the title well avram has still got the money but we hav not won a single cup this year and dont look like winning the CL. This goes to show that without the right leader at the healm money does not gurantee you success. Mourinho took control of the team and made them he was a no-nonsense person.

[Saleh Hasaballa]

fired or sacked? we should have the other way round: was he supposed to be there in the first place? everyone knows that he's been appointed only because of his close relatin to the owner. and the more the fans turn against him the more Roman is determined to keep him; based on nothing but stupidity in running the club and only because he's cash injector. to hell him and his cash. a consortium with half or even quarter his money can make miracle

[Tony Glover]

I find the poll stunning. As a season ticket holder at Stamford Bridge and a contributor to the best Chelsea blog site (chelseablog.com), I would imagine the 'no' votes are from two camps - fans of other teams notably the other big 3, plus maybe Spurs, and those fans who've just discovered Chelsea and football in the last few years and fit under the category 'blue tinted faith evangelists'. I can tell you now the feeling on our blog, plus other blog and fanzine sites and the views I get from Stamford bridge is that 99% of Chelsea fans want Grant to go. Can 40,000 of us at the Wigan all be wrong, but Abramovich, Kenyon, Buck, Tenenbaum be right? And we don't necessarily want Grant out of the club - just well away from the first team coaching.

I'm also with True Blue Terri when people accuse me of not being a true fan because I dare to criticise. That's what being a true fan is all about, supporting your team no matter how much you despse the way it's run or who the manager is. For my £790 season ticket fee I reckon the least I am entitled to is an opinion.

To compare 'win ratio's' is disingenuous and misleading - one has to look at total points garnered, home draws, away wins, goals scored and conceded under the respective Mourinho and Grant regimes, alongside, of course, number of trophies won. In that sense over the last few years Mourinho beats everyone hands down.

Anyone in the world of football can see the fact that Grant is not qualified or experienced at any level to manage any Premier League club, yet alone one with such deep pockets and such a gathering of undoubtedly egotistical major stars. Mourinho managed it, and was sacked after an indifferent start. Both Wenger and Ferguson would have gone in recent seasons if that was the sole criteria for being ousted. No, Mourinho managed the club in a transformational manner and made reasonable players seem like world stars, after all what were Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Paolo Ferreira, Carvalho, Wayne Bridge before Mourinho's reign? Good...but not world class. It breaks my heart to see the near invincible, hated and feared empire being dismantled and turned into everyone's friend willing to share points and trophies . Believe me if Grant stays we'll be back to where we were, a mid table enigma. It's not just about money for these players either, even the best want to win stuff and to improve. Consider this, if you're a top class player or starlet burning with ambition to win and improve and you're being chased by Wenger, Ferguson, Benitez or Grant, where you gonna go? Enough said!

[Rob]

I see by the poll that the majority don't want A Grant to go - which only goes to prove that Chelsea should sack him as most of Chelsea's opponents supporters would want him to remain in situ.
What's the betting most of those voting were Arsenal and Man Utd fans - Liverpool of course have their own problems.

[Syed]

Chelsea won 5 trophies in 3 years under Jose, which included back-to-back Premiership titles (two years when we dominated the league) & Cup Final victories against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

What has happened this year - a Cup Final loss against Spurs, getting knocked out by Barnsley and not winning the Premiership (drawing against Fulham, Villa & Wigan at the Bridge and losing against London-rivals Arsenal for the first time in 4 years) is an absolute disaster, by any standards.Considering the fact that the backup striker that Jose had on his disposal was Kezman, defenders were Del Horno & Boulharouz, while Avram had Anelka and Alex, says it all really. Jose should never have been removed and Avram as a manager has been an absolute joke. He should be sacked from the club, alongside ten Cate, and if we can't persuade Jose to come back my choice would be Lippi AND Zola.

Thanks Roman (but no thanks) for proving again that money ONLY doesn't not win you anything!

[True Blue Terri]

Only a few truly incisive comments (namely Roy P and Pizzaro...)Grant must go and Bill Edgars article in todays paper says it all. The number of games unbeaten this season under Grant cannot be related to those results achieved by Jose whose players won more games and drew less. They also gained a phenominal points total along with goals against almost in single figures!
It is also frustrating that others feel that we are not true fans if we vocalise our disatisfaction at the ineptitude of our coach. As a follower of Chelsea for 44 years (through good and bad) I feel totally justified in commenting. Why for instance do we have a perfectly good right back (Paulo Ferreira)whose place is being covered (!) by Belletti (not a defender)or Michael Essien? I'm sorry but I don't think it makes sense. Also I couldn't grasp the logic of taking Mikel off and replacing him with Shevchenko in the dying minutes of the game.
I'm sorry I could continue indefinitely but I must get a life.

[Cakim]

Come on guys! Grant is Mr Nobody in football, he has no credentials, he hasnt changed the style of play and he hasnt won anything. The reality is that what Jose did is very difficult to do. Jose truly was the special one, he pushed chelsea to the limit, got the best out of the players, the players beleaved him, is was a magician and a master tactitian - Grant hasnt got that in him, the players hate is guts, they dont beleave in his tactics and he cant get them fired up because his motivation is zero! To sum it up - Grant has no carisma, no knowledge, no experiance and no credentials, he can not do it!

[s sheena]

i think Grant is doing an ok job so far.i am a chelsea fan and, while i do not condone draws, i don't mind how we've done considering when Grant took over. To be honest, our team wasn't looking strong since the end of last season and mourinho's inclusions of sidwell,pizarro belletti and malouda,albeit the transfers being on a limited budget, didn't help. I think giving grant a season of his own where he can select his own players and formation will truly show his coaching colours. it is common for the football fan to be anxious of every decision when things aren't going right but this can have a negative effect! Remember we are still in the champions league and the premiership(small hope).

[Dan]

Further reading shows that the majority of votes seem to be posted from the US. Since when did the septics know anything about football?

Then again what do Abramovich and Grant know about it either?

I agree with both Pizzarosbetterthanhelooks and
Rick Basheer

Also wonder...... the present squad wasn't exactly what he wanted, but would JM have got more out of most of these players than Grant can? I think the senior players have carried him.

[Dan]

If you rated Fergeson at 99% as a manager,(based on success and performance perhaps) Mourinho would come in at maybe 98% and Wenger around 93%

Grant is an OK manager, but about 85% perhaps in relation to the others. So Chlsea will always find themselves 15% short of success as long as we hold on to him.

[israel israeli]

i hop avram stay in his team. he destroy thet club. i ardent fan of arsenal. from israel in love :-)

[Jimmy Greaves]

He should be fired. A decent man with no ability to change a game tactically
when needed. So afraid of losing - he risks not winning - look at the huge difference in draws compared to Jose.
The ability to read a game and act early on is a rare skill/courage and he simply doesn't have it.

[pizarrosbetterthanhelooks]

No experience, credentials or credibility. The players and fans know he is out of his depth and there is no other club in England that would want him as their manager. He only got the job because of his relationship with Abramovich. Abramovich might aswell burn his money if he keeps this nobody. Every real Chelsea fan knows this - only the clueless mugs and supporters of other clubs are defending a complete no-hoper. In Israel he had a reputation as a negative, cautious coach that did Ok but largely failed (failed in 3 cup finals out of 4 and failed to get Israel into the World Cup). Chelsea are developing a losing mentality under him. If we want to challenge again (not to mention, play some football) he has to go. Wake up Abramovich.

[Rick Basheer]

I note that only 38% (at last count) of the people want Avram Grant sacked. Presumably the 62% who believe he should stay are Manchester United fans who know they will continue to win the title each year until he is replaced. Can you track how many people called Ferguson have voted 'no'?

[Jeremy Rosen]

I truly believe he should stay. He took a team who had a terrible opening to the season and took them to 2nd place. So he lost the Carling cup that isn't exactly a big trophy, the FA Cup defeat was disappointing but I believe that it was more the players fault then a coaching problem. Chelsea need to rebuild the team with new fresh talent then give Grant a fair trial and see how he does it with his team and no the special one's

[Roy Pinney]

It's nothing personal, but Grant must go before the start of next season. Over the years, Chelsea fans have not been known for calling for their managers to be sacked - I can only remember one who attracted the same level of criticism as Grant is experiencing now, and that was John Hollins (who managed to oversee six months without a win in 1987-88). Usually managers at the club are respected and liked, even when success has been elusive - Ranieri won nothing in 4 seasons but his departure was initially massively unpopular with supporters.

Also, the fans at the Bridge are used to managerial upheaval...no manager since Hoddle has left the club in anything resembling a straightforward manner. Vialli was sacked after winning two trophies in a season and beating Man Utd in tghe Community Shield. So the departure of Mourinho would not in itself have traumatised supporters permanently, if his replacement had been perceived as being appointed through merit, or at least was seen as having some attributes which entitled him to the job.

In my view, what we are seeing at the club is fairly exceptional, and the comparison betwen Grant and Mourinho is only part of the story. The fans' frustrations reflect the reality of Grant's position...he was Abramovic's pick(would any other major club in Europe have been seeking his services if he had not taken the CFC job?), and since he took charge, I can only remember 4 or 5 performances which have really been worth enthusing about. The supporters also object to Steve Clarke - a true CFC man and a vital part of the coaching staff - being marginalised.

Most significantly, with the exception of the home win v Arsenal, we have failed to rise to the challenge in any match of real significance. Points have been surrendered regularly with goals conceded in the last minutes of matches, an almost unheard of occurrence under Mourinho. Bizarrely, without the last minute goals scored against us by Villa, Spurs and Wigan this season, we would actually be top of the league right now.

[fans of ashdod, israel]

I from israel and grant is great for the team! give credit to the man! he only a faw month ther!

[Eli Hazan]

Do not forget that Mr. Grant almost do not lose despite his players was choosen by Mr. Morinio. He did not lost a lot of games even after a lot of players missed.

Give him a chance and I hope Chelsea will win in the Champions League.

[matt ernshaw]

'he has done a good job in difficult circumstances'

where does this myth come from?
he has done a bad job in easy circumstances. he inherited a winning team, quality players with competition for places in every position and he had money to spend in january. all he had to do was provide that magic touch, give the team that little bit extra, the crucial decisions in big games, the right words at half time, to inspire technically, tactically or motivationally. he did none of the above. chelsea with no manager would currently be second in the premier league.

[blue]

He need to stay,
he fixed what Mourinho break.

Good luck Avram!

[Mike in Tenerife]

How many people care one way or the other, lets face it Chelski have one of the lowest fan bases in the UK never mind the Premiership.

[Joe]

Forget the relationship with Abramovich. Do you know a coach that could replace the popular not to say populistic Jose? Even Jose would fail to replace Jose. Avram took a job not many would really take, yet, at the beginning of the season everyone of them will stand in the line, oh boy.
Let Avram build the team.

[drjh]

i think that yes, he should go at the end of the season.
In fairness to him, he has done a good job in difficult circumstances, although he is not the long term answer.
Chelsea need someone who has that extra 2% that can make a good squad an outstanding squad.

[A Gooner]

What Premier League's comedy fixtures list, Nottingham Rob ? Do you complain when your team plays on a Wednesday and then again on Saturday ? Wed to Sat is a 3 day break, as is Monday to Thursday. Chelski then get 5 days off before they play Liverpool, who only get a 3 day break.
I don't hear Benitez complaining (well I do, but not about the fixtures).

[Nottingham Rob]

Chelsea have got where they are this season DESPITE him, not because of him. Wrong man for the job.
Having said that, I don’t actually blame him for the Wigan draw. Thanks to the Premier League's comedy fixtures list, he didn’t have much choice but to rest key players.
Maybe Wenger has got something with his conspiracy theories.....

[Rinmasa]

Well Grant got the job through the back door. His relation with the owner gives him the security of the job . No matter how bad he performs he gets the backing of the owner. Mourinho don't have what he got. Whenever you see him scratching his head , you knows Chelsea is in the bad shape. Chelsea will never be like the times of Mourinho....

[Sam]

I think Grant should stay !

He as done a good job till now in very hard conditions: fans, media, players.

If he had the team from the beginning of the season we were probably be the champions.

I think the fans should grow up and back the team in hard times.

[Adi Proud]

He was wrong to start the job. He is right to leave at the end of the season.

[hendrix]

do you really think that in that level roman will put someone just because he's like him?????
i think you all beein not fair about grant so eat your heart is going to stay one more year!!!!!!!!!!!

[Proud Israelian]

A a football fan, and as an Israelian I'll have to say : " Sack'em".
Just to think about the way he got this job makes me feel sick, and with all the respect he is not doing good enough with such a strong team.

So Roman, SACK HIM.

[Joe]

NO!

[Steven]

avram is the best'very good coach !
roman let him stay !

[Yosi]

Mourinu had a very bad season opening! Grant came and made it all good again he broght Cheksea to second place! The championship dream is not dead yet!

[Revital]

I am from Israel and i think Avram needs to give the keys and leave
he faild in taking the cup against easy team (on paper) he is about to lose the championship to United and i dont really see him taking the champion league

I think he is a good coach but dont have the experience to be Chelsea coach yet maybe in the future after coaching few years in the english league

We do love Avram but we need to face the truth Chelsea is a big team and needs a big coach!

[tony a]

We were told that with the appointment of avram grant we would be given more goals/entertaining football... what a load of bull, even with an extra assistant coach of Ten Cate,the result has been less goals/entertainment more goals shipped in by the defence. Where there was Jose + Steve Clarke pulling in the same direction there is now so many inputs with no one taking the helm or telling it how it really is..Chelsea have wasted away 3 trophies this year so far!!

[Joseph Levi]

Although Grant is not a bad manager, but he is not world class (which is what is required to manage a team like Chelsea). It is clear that the main reason he was hired was due to his "special" relationship with Abramovich and this is not an acceptable reason. Therefore he should be fired and replaced with a truly world class manager, e.g. Mourinho, Fergerson etc