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Football365 After Avram: Who`s Next On Block? Posted 15/04/08 13:44EmailPrintSave Even if he wins the Champions League, Avram Grant is likely to be asked to step aside. So who will replace him at Chelsea? Roman's mate, Arnesen's friend, Henk's man or the fans' hero? The odds of course come from our lovely friends at SkyBet. GUUS HIDDINK (5/2 favourite) Currently: Russian national coach. Biggest Managerial Achievements: Winning the Treble with PSV in 1987/88, coaching South Korea to the semi-finals of the World Cup and taking Australia to their first World Cup in 32 years. Why It Will Be Him: Roman Abramovich is obviously a fan - he helps to bankroll him in his position as coach of the Russian national side. His CV is a tale of (almost) unbroken success, and if Chelsea want an antidote to the inexperience of Avram Grant then Hiddink is definitely their man. He's also likely to fancy a change after Euro 2008 as the thought of another long qualifying campaign may not float his boat. Why It Will Not Be Him: The one time he has managed a big club with a massive budget (Real Madrid), he fell flat on his face. And at 61, will he really fancy the pressure of having millions to spend and needing to deliver the Champions League to keep his job? Maybe he likes the semi-retirement of international football? MICHAEL LAUDRUP (5/1) Currently: Getafe coach. Biggest Managerial Achievements: Leading Brondby to the Danish Championship and Getafe to the final of the Spanish Cup. Why It Will Be Him: He is big friends with Chelsea sporting director and fellow Dane Frank Arnesen, who obviously has the ear of Roman Abramovich. A massively popular manager at Brondby, he could be the true successor to Jose as a young, goodlooking, charming manager thought to have the presence to exhort great performances from average players (his Getafe side were only beaten on away goals by Bayern Munich). Why It Will Not Be Him: Laudrup has never operated with the kind of pressure to deliver that he will be under at Chelsea...but then neither had Mourinho before he was given the chance. There's also the small matter of Barcelona rumoured to be interested in his services. FRANK RIJKAARD (5/1) Currently: Barcelona coach. Biggest Managerial Achievements: Winning the Champions League in 2006 as well as two La Liga Championships. Why It Will Be Him: His Champions League-winning assistant Henk Ten Cate is already at Chelsea and it seems to be set up for a return of the dream team. After Barcelona, Chelsea will seem like a relaxing little part-time job in the local bakery - no pressure will come close to what he has endured in Spain. He has an aura about him that only comes from winning trophies and that is an aura that might well tempt the likes of Didier Drogba and Michael Essien to stay. Oh and he plays attacking football. Why It Will Not Be Him: After Barcelona, he might just fancy a break or a return to a situation where there aren't too many chiefs trying to call the shots. How much has five years at Barcelona worn him down? GIANFRANCO ZOLA (8/1) Currently: Italian Under-21 coach. Biggest Managerial Achievements: He's a baby at this business - he doesn't really have any. Why It Will Be Him: He's the last true Chelsea hero who is adored by fans, players and the hierarchy at Chelsea. Roman Abramovich has twice tried to lure him back to Stanford Bridge because he knows of his iconic status. He would certainly be the sentimental choice and would immediately have the respect and adoration of the fans. It might actually make non-Chelsea fans soften a little in their judgement. He has also made it clear that his ultimate ambition is to manage the club. Why It Will Not Be Him: He readily admits himself that he is not ready, being only a beginner in the managerial arena. He's unlikely to risk his status at the club by making a mess of the job before he is ready. The best solution may be a job as an assistant...would Chelsea go back to British and take a punt on Mark Hughes (12/1)? Other names in the betting: Marcello Lippi (10/1), Luiz Felipe Scolari (10/1), Mark Hughes (12/1), Carlo Ancelotti (14/1) Your Comments PineyVillan "Sir Alex tbf." shut_up_pleat "Mark McGhee?" Vegas_Malone "rafa beitez. proven european track record, experience of working with dodgy owners and murky club politics at valencia and liverpool. would also provide the rest of the world with plenty of fnar fnar. " sam9791 "Marco Van Basten with Gianfranco Zola as number 2" Nik01 "Steve McClaren?" bleeblee "after Grant, even Frank Spencer would be an improvement" gimzy "Whats wrong with Didier Deschamps. He was a success during his playing days at Chelsea. And lets not forget that he eliminated Chelsea at the semi-finals of the 2003/2004 champs league as coach of Monaco. " rapidcat "I'd go for the return of the Special One too. The fans would love it he's a winner, knows Premiership football and it would sure make things onteresting again. Can Roman swallow his pride just a little?" green25 "i think anyone barring the clown we have @ the moment, How about the return of the special one ??" kevind04 "What about Didier Deschamps?!?" All comments on this story

The wee man is exactly spot on in what he say's. Sadly though I doubt that the club will be willing to change things. The fans are at the very back of their chain of thoughts.

Aye, makes sense

Is it over the top? Possibly aye Leeds Utd now know that every person who attends their games now will be "proper" fans. Their quick demise would have seen off the plastic fans they had been attracting with their success in Europe, etc. Yes they are in the third tier of English Football, Yes they may not make it back to the premiership for another few years, But they know, That it is their club,stripped to the bone, But their club nevertheless. What do we have? A stupid fucking Russian who treats the club as nothing more than a plaything, a toy. Who clearly doesnt give two fucks about what the majority of fans think. A board of directors who are too busy lining their pockets to endanger that living by fronting up the russian and telling him what they think. Increasingly more and more plastic fans taking The Bridge over, NO atmosphere, NO passion, NO heart on sleeve, fuck all. Is it over the top?

8-0 Chelsea, Malouda will have a dazzling night and end up with four goals. Ben Haim will get a hat trick and an own goal from David Moyes will seal it.

They have also mentioned this on talkSPORT this morning. If this is what happens then I'll be giving up permanently. It'll show us that he is going to do what he wants to our club, whether we back it or not. What he'll be hoping for is that the real fans that he will alienate will simply be replaced by yet more plastic fans, Lured to the Bridge by the prospect of seeing the likes of Messi in a Chelsea shirt. It'll also say a lot about these players and their ambition. Would it just be a case of them simply be willing to join Chelsea for the wedge? Or would perhaps one or two of them (hopefully) turn the chance down due to doubt's over Grant's capabilities? Either way, Its venturing down the road of no return I would, without doubt, prefer to be in Leeds position right now. Roman Abramovich is turning our club into nothing more than a laughing stock of a very inept circus act.

I think I should report Grant's missus to the RSPCA for fucking a dumb animal

Oh he's full of witty one liners is the handbrake

I think your spot on. bottom line is if the russian is accepting this debacle then he has indeed taken his eye well and truly off the ball. Kenyon and Buck know they are onto some easy money just now and aint about to jeopardise that income by giving an opinion they know that the russian wont want to hear. The whole thing stinks from Top to bottom. Sure its acceptable for the majority of club's to be satisfied by finishing second in the league and the semi's of the CL.......But given the wedge the russian has spent our aspirations are somewhat higher. It could all have been so very different if someone had shown the bottle to disagree with the russian when he thought it would be ever so clever to sack Mourinho, and replace him with his very own bum boy

Am I going a bit over the top?? If I am then I humbly apologise. Personally, I dont think I am but if so then I'll apologise in hindsight I suppose.

From Football365: GRANT RUNS OUT OF SUPPORT AT Chelsea Posted 15/04/08 09:41EmailPrintSave Avram Grant may not have admitted Chelsea are out of the title race following their ruinous 1-1 draw against Wigan but the reaction of the club's supporters at the final whistle admitted as much and revealed that they have run out of patience with the Israeli. No sooner had Emile Heskey - for once actually playing a full match - scored an injury-time equaliser that leaves Manchester United five points clear at the top of the table than the final whistle sounded and chants of 'You don't know what you're doing' reverberated around a stunned Stamford Bridge. Grant has never possessed the demeanour of a lottery winner, not even when Roman Abramovich phoned a friend and invited him to inherit Jose Mourinho's squad in September, but he appeared especially forlorn on the touchline. His subsequent insistence that Chelsea can still usurp United was predictable, yet the credibility of his post-match defiance was wrecked by his claim that "Every three or four minutes we created chances." That was a gross exaggeration, with Chelsea's first-half performance particularly dire. The only surprise with the booing that greeted the half-time whistle was the confirmation that so many supporters were still awake. Matters improved after the interval, with Michael Essien putting the home side ahead after 55 minutes, but Grant could only take limited solace from the improvement given that it was inspired by substitute Joe Cole. As early as the tenth minute, the Stamford Bridge could be heard voicing their disapproval of his omission from the starting line-up. In fairness to Grant, his team selection, with Didier Drogba also rested, was clearly made with half an eye on Thursday's must-win fixture at Everton. Yet, given the resources available to him, there will be little sympathy and the post-match verdict of the club's supporters was damning. With the Premiership seemingly lost - United's lead, with just four games remaining, is further reinforced by a vastly superior goal difference - only the Champions League can save Grant. Unfortunately for the beleaguered Chelsea manager, even success against Liverpool is likely to be overshadowed by the arrival of Manchester United on April 26 for the Premier League meeting sandwiched between the two European semi-finals. The sight of the champions retaining the title at Stamford Bridge may be a humiliation that not even Abramovich could accept. Your Comments kuze "As a Chelsea fan I knew Grant would carry us no where. I guess no Chelsea fan (even the ones that joined four years ago) ever had faith in Grant. So failure to win anything won¿t really be a surprise. The surprise is the amazing luck we have had this time in the draws for all the cups and the not too consistent form of man yoo (yes! the title could have been wrapped up since). The other surprise is the level of grant's ineptitude! What did he want Sheva to come and do on the field with just seconds to play? He has done it twice already this season introducing the fallen star just seconds to go, thereby wasting time we don¿t have on substitution in a period every moment mattered for salvation. Earlier in the season when Chelsea fans booed Sheva, I felt he deserved it, but the kind of embarrassment he is being subjected to by grant is unfortunate. It is too much a price to pay for facilitating the exit of the special one. Should Chelsea win anything by any means (luck, miracle or destiny) this season, I think Grant must still go. Nothing should save his job! He is not up to it, the way he was scratching his head after the Heskey goal is not the reaction of an assured manager who others look up to. Kuze." GianfrancoZola "for a long time i didn't join the Grant bashing as in his defence he never really got given a chance, but after another uninspiring performacne it's time to join in. While under mourinho a 1-0 lead usually gave us supporters enough confidence to know the 3 points are in the bag, Grant doesn't project such confidence and it was only a matter of time until we got done and drop some valuable points during squeaky bum time. grant has had enough time to turn things around (ie turn on the style as promised) and he's got an excellent squad of players to do so(of course it's not just his fault, the players need to take a large chunk of the blame as well), but the return has been very little. The problem now for fans is that yes of course we would love to win the CL but if that means that we are stuck with grant for another season, then i don't know if I really want it. And by the sounds of what Kenyon and Buck said recently it appears that not even Abramovich is so sure anymore if his good friend is also a good manager. Well well it's not over yet but the title seems out of reach and the CL is always impossible to call. I just hope that Abramovich makes the right calls over the next few months so that we are back to our best next season and really challenging for trophies. As Mourinho showed this doesn't just need a strong group of players, but most importantly a manager who knows what he is doing and who projects confidence to his team and the supporters, neither of which Grant managed to do in any of the games he has been in charge, no matter the result. Come on Chelsea" tukes75 "Avarm Grant should just do they honourable thing and step down before he is chucked. it just goes shows to show that he ca't deliever when it matters most. " Bluincha "Please stop stating that Chelsea are out of the title race because in truth, we were never in this title race. We've only found ourselves thrust into the position of main challengers because Arsenal have completely imploded. I think the (growing) section of supporters that boo Grant are not just after him, but the board as a whole, Kenyon, Buck, Roman, et al. We are currently a shambles of team. We only have Joe Cole for creativity, and that's the fault of the previous manager, the precious Jose Mourinho, who inherited a squad with great players like Gudjohnsen, Robben, Duff and Crespo, and left us with Pizarro, Malouda, Wright Phillips and Kalou. However, we can look at this latest failure as a blessing in disguise. Chasing the league now would be stupid (so expect the idiots at our club to do it) but the Champions League is a realistic possibility. So let's box clever... Let's play a 'weakened' team against Everton on Thursday, with the likes of Sidwell, Paulo, Hilario, Sheva, (well Sheva at least for match fitness - this man has been shockingly treated by Chelsea) and save our best players for Liverpool away five days later. If Everton beat us then that would put the heat on Liverpool in the league, as they'd only be two points behind in the race for fourth. Then we may get a better result away at Liverpool, before returning to the Premier League for our clash against Man Utd. I couldn't care less about our unbeaten home record, infact it's becoming more of a hinderance than anything. Let's then play the same weakened team against Man Utd - who cares if they beat us, because we be fresh again for the 2nd leg with Liverpool. Then if we reach the final, no one will be talking about losing a title race we never actually were in, they will be all focused towards one show piece final, where we'll beat Man Utd, just like we did in the FA Cup last season. " englishtim "well not much to say here, we all new he's b*ll*cks at the job anyway, and lets be honest Anelka has done it again wrangled a massive transfer fee and still not worth a penny of it! smartest man in football with more money spent on him than any other player ever! How many goals has he scored since the move?" CR7EVEN "Well done Brucey,you just won us another title.Now ManYoo should go on and win it at the Bridge and abolish that 80 game unbeaten home run"

Agreed, And does Grant possess the tactical nous to outwit Benetiz??? Two chances, Slim and none, and slim just left town. It could be very embarrasing indeed.

FFS, so we beat the arse, who were already on the slide, and with the help of a goal when not one, not two but yes THREE playes were offside. Your not about to tell me we have been wiping the floor with opponents surely? I despair

I really, really dont wish to sound patronising here, But let me tell you about how Chelsea Fans would have dealt wth this 20 odd year ago: Four our newer fans, if you walk from the Gunter pub to the Bridge, as you walk over the railway bridge, Stop at the south wall of the bridge, get you house key out and start scraping in earnest, after a time, you'll find dissent regarding Jason Cundy being sold to Rottenham over 15 years ago. The fans of this time would have fucked Grant straight out the door. As much as Chairman Ken is a pain in the arse There is two huge reason's to pay tribute to him, 1. He literally saved the club, and 2: Grant wouldnt have got half the time he got under his fucking russian sugar daddy. Nowadays, we have "fans" who complain if you stand up or sing, "fans" who complain about the throwing of celery, "fans" who will report you for the use of bad language (harsh, considering my first words were "FFS Chelsea), And fans who will happily sit back, shout "bravo" and proclaim the appointment of Avram Grant as "forward thinking" For those of you whom I have intended this (and you know who you are), Times up, Mn ure are calling for you, as its going to get VERY UGLY down SW6 way

Preaching to the ignorant with some people here mate. Give it a couple of hours and some of our "members" here will be stating that we will put five past Everton

Oh but it will be a surprise to some of the "members" of this form. Sorry to say this, but we are all human, but the "owner" of this forum, 3 - 0???? LOL, based on what exactly mate? No, dont tell me, Anelka's non stop scoring snce he arived?, or maybe Drogba's goal return this year? Dear god

What a fuckin mug you must seem now ? heathercfc I back you 100% girl, I simply cannot believe the fuckwits here who confidently proclaimed a 2-0, or perhaps even 3-0 win tonight. Based on what exactly???Our demolition of the mighty Sunderland?, no, perhaps it was the ruthless way we despatched Boro eh? Dear god, Isnt about time you fucked off an supported Man Ure? Since Wigan have got Bruce, they have show time an time again they are nobodies mugs. We, on the other hand have constantly proved that we couldnt score in a barrel of fannies. So just what was the "easy" win based on? Fools fucking gold thats what. Some of you still think we will turn over the bin dippers, erm, let me repeat myself for the "slower" members of this forum...BASED ON WHAT??????? Sorry, But I simply cant be hypocritical, Stupid, stupid people. No one smelling te nescafe yet?

Live Footie I presume most of you are aware of this, But for the ignorants (which naturally includes me). This is a site made by a good natured Citeh fan, advertising tonight's game. Fair play to him.

Sadly I think Lampard will be offski as well, Last year on his contract, And he has a ready made excuse with the shambles that is Avram Grant. Lets face it, who could blame him? I wouldnt want to stay around either.

Christ, what a thought, Kenyon giving Grant a portion, Jesus. Mind you, maybe thats why he's kept his job, It might be that he's good in bed eh?

Andy Jacobs (talkSPORT presenter and Chelsea Season ticket holder, Oh and also Jewish) said today on his show that he wants Grant sacked, even if we win the premiership and the Champions League. Good man

What the fuck did we do to get Kenyon, Buck and Grant? You couldnt pick three more lame fuckwits if you tried

Pretty much dandy ho mate...............unless you want to start asking for a collection from the members here to attempt to raise £10,000 to pay for a contract to be put out on Grant perhaps. Just a thought!

FFS, Chelsea should start to talk about boycotting games if they start to fuck about any more with our fixtures, This is starting to take the piss. Be as well just giving Man Ure the title now. Fucking Sky seem to be bending over backwards to assist them.

from football365 MILAN PLAN RONALDINHO TALKS Posted 09/04/08 17:14EmailPrintSave AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani hopes to open talks with Barcelona "in the next few weeks" with a view to signing Brazil forward Ronaldinho. The 28-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to the Rossoneri since his brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, was seen meeting with Galliani in Italy last week. Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has also admitted his desire to bring Ronaldinho to the San Siro next year. On Wednesday, Galliani told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport: "We'll speak to Barcelona in the next few weeks." Ronaldinho is expected to leave Barca this summer following a turbulent season in which he has started only 13 of a possible 31 games. He is currently sidelined with a thigh injury which will rule him out for the next six weeks. Berlusconi wants to pair Ronaldinho with former Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko, who has failed to make an impact at Chelsea after joining the London club in 2006. "I want to bring him (Shevchenko) back to Milan and it is very likely I'll achieve it," he said. "It would be great for us if he came back."