Fulham Broadway

Every managers job is 'safe'. Losing the job is like a car accident, you dont see it coming. 'not in immediate jeopardy' sounds hopeful though.

The 3 remaining trophies or Grant out -would go for the 3 trophies definitely. If we won 2, Abramovich would see him as doing the job ok and he'd stay anyway It would still be despite him though What about you ?

Was thinking that as well. The players that were omitted for the Yids game were more than likely to come out and show what they could do. Guaranteed we''l spank the yids next time we play them as well. lol at Curbishley; "If you took the goals out of it, it was obviously quite even."

Agree E. Obviously theres some doubt over the credibility of any press story, but there seems too much smoke at the moment. You look at the body language between Grant and all the staff, Clarke, and the players, they dont respect him. Everyone seems to be masking the fact that they dont think he should be there.

Grant 'snubbed' by players Duncan Castles Sunday March 2, 2008 The Observer Avram Grant was snubbed three times by Chelsea's playing staff in the wake of last weekend's League Cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The Israeli manager, who accused the media of disseminating 'lies' about his position ahead of yesterday's emphatic win at West Ham, saw his authority questioned after calling a team meeting on Tuesday morning. Though Grant, who says there is 'no problem' in his relationship with the players, scheduled the training ground gathering for 11am, his squad failed to turn up at the designated time. Upon instructing a club employee to summon them for the session, he was informed that the players were holding a separate meeting of their own that would not finish for another 10 minutes. When the squad still had not assembled at that time, Grant made his way to the players, only to be told they still had matters to discuss and was asked to leave the room. The manager did so without complaint. Once the players had concluded their gathering, they again proved uncooperative. Seeking to end reports of squad discontent at his handling of the final, Grant asked the players to voice any concerns. It is understood that because they were worried that what they said would be relayed to owner Roman Abramovich, no team member spoke up. Grant had been called in to Cobham the previous day when Abramovich demanded talks with the first team's entire coaching staff. Unprecedented in the past four seasons at Chelsea, the Russian's request resulted in Grant cancelling an arrangement with the Israel Football Federation to study for the Uefa Pro-Licence he must obtain to continue managing the team next season. Abramovich had also spent a significant length of time in the Chelsea dressing room at Wembley after Sunday's 2-1 defeat, been present for each of the team's final three training days before the final and held private discussions with Grant on the eve of the game. There remains considerable discontent among the Chelsea squad about preparations for the final. Having witnessed Abramovich address Michael Essien about errors in his play after a Champions League group game this season, some players believe the owner influences team selection and strategy through his deputy Eugene Tenenbaum. Grant partially denied this on Friday, saying: 'Roman Abramovich has never even seen me about one player that he needs to play, never said to me anything about picking the team.' Whoever did choose Sunday's team and tactics, the players were unhappy that they did not know who they would be playing alongside nor which formation they would be using until the day of the game. Ashley Cole learned of his omission in the pages of a national newspaper, Michael Ballack believed he was to start only to be supplanted by Shaun Wright-Phillips, while Alex was asked if he would stand down for John Terry on the Saturday. 'It was frustrating,' Alex told Brazilian television last week. 'The boss called me over to talk on Saturday. He told me that I'd been playing well, but it's the English cup and that Terry is the captain, he has to play. He asked me if there was any problem and I said, "No, no problem at all. I'm here to do my job."' From Thursday onwards, senior players had asked whether the team would be playing in their customary 4.3.3 formation or another shape to accommodate the selection of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka as joint strikers for the first time. They were told to 'wait and see' and 'not to worry' about the issue. Adding to the tension was Terry's nervousness over being passed over for the in-form Alex. During Saturday's final training session the captain's unease spilled over into a fight with Henk ten Cate, ostensibly over the assistant coach's whistle-happy interruptions of a practice match to chide midfielder John Obi Mikel. Terry was not reassured of his place until 11pm on Saturday night. Grant's job is not in immediate jeopardy. Abramovich has too much invested in the appointment of an under-qualified coach to one of European football's top positions to dispense with him after one Wembley defeat. Sources close to the owner insist he has not moved to change the manager nor sanctioned any approach to the Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard. An uneasy atmosphere does remain at the club, though. Piet de Visser, who acts as a private adviser to Abramovich on football matters, is an important influence, having recommended several player purchases and the appointment of chief scout Frank Arnesen. Grant's relationship with Arnesen is described as 'frosty'. Chelsea last night declined to comment on when Ashley Cole and Ballack discovered they were not in the cup final line-up.

Could be because hes an easy target JBD -and the most successful ex hammer. They're the jealous ex lover. Could just be because hes fat. Anyway he always has a good game against them in spite of it.

Moved to Rumour Mill. Source please.

Moved to Rumour Mill. Clarke is bound to consider his options as a No1 at a club. It should be Chelsea atm, with Grant sidelined.

This is all part of Kenyons marketing in China strategy

Yeah I would have thought so. And some more games as well. Arsenal and ManU drawing against each other might help as well. And them losing a few as well, could increase the chance

KEEGAN AND NEWCASTLE PLEDGE TO DRIVE OFF A CLIFF TOGETHER Keegan, left, has also managed Fulham and Man City from The Daily Mash -you gotta fucken' laff aint ya ?

Well I've quite a few bristol City mates and they're understandably excited and cautious. Tricky one for them tomorrow -away at Charlton what with them just getting Sinclair as well. Really hope they go up - was brilliant last time -they beat the gooners away first game and tooped the table for a while.

Good result -fantastic Ballack volley. Why the fuck wasnt that team started at Wembley ?

Eduardo, he had the silky skills, Now hes like Heather Mills,

Yeah it would be a tragedy if it went tits uo with Zola. On the plus side hes been taking loads of coaching exams so he could be one for the future , maybe in a dual role

Good point about Clarke P. Hopefully Abramovich realises hes a fans fave, and wouldn't make the mistake of offloading him. Another ex Chelsea addition such as Zola or Hughes would be a good replacement for Grant.

Just how the 'Daily mail' knows this is anyones guess, but he'd be a fool not to anyway. Interesting about Brendan Rogers. Roman’s patience with dismal Chelsea snaps By NEIL ASHTON - Roman Abramovich is planning an overhaul of the management and playing staff at Chelsea after privately conceding that he made key mistakes in the wake of Jose Mourinho's departure. Chelsea's billionaire benefactor recognised problems with the structure at Stamford Bridge long before Sunday's Carling Cup final defeat to Tottenham. Bridge shake-up: Abramovich will act after errors since Jose Mourinho left Avram Grant is not the only member of staff under threat and it is understood that a number of key personnel have effectively been placed on trial until the end of the season. Abramovich told close friends as recently as last week that he had made errors in a number of crucial areas at the club and has taken full responsibility for their current plight. Problems with Chelsea's playing style were confirmed when they fought out a dreadful 0-0 draw with Liverpool earlier this month. Sources at the club subsequently claimed that Grant appeared more intent on extending the club's unbeaten home record than 'taking the game' to Liverpool. Despite strict instructions from 'upstairs' to replicate the attractive football that has forced the club to covet the services of Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard, Grant appears more interested in safeguarding his position by making Chelsea difficult to beat. Intriguingly, following Sportsmail's exclusive story yesterday that Rijkaard is ready to talk about taking over at Chelsea in the summer, the Dutchman left pre-match press conference duties for this weekend's game against Atletico Madrid to assistant Johan Neeskens for the first time. The pressure on Grant is increasing because Chelsea have scored just 10 goals in nine games and three of them were in the FA Cup tie with League One Huddersfield. It is understood that the last straw for Abramovich was the dismal 0-0 draw with Olympiacos in the Champions League last week. Highly rated first-team coach Brendan Rogers is in line for a more influential role. Chelsea's stars claim he is 'outstanding'. Grant upset players not involved in the Carling Cup final by not allowing them to stay at London's Landmark Hotel the night before the game. Right back Paulo Ferreira was in complete bemusement and distraught when omitted from the squad. Daily Mail

Hes proven he can do it at Premiership level in my book. Grant under pressure ? Mmm, wonder what his cholesterol levels like. Would hate to think of any sort of cardiac arrest.

I suppose he is only 18. But with these loan deals what of the player ? Psychologically it can go two ways. They either try to improve or say fuck it and knuckle down with the loan club. Also, he's going to bond with his new teammates, etc. Bottom line they have been told they're 'not good enough' I'm not sure these loan deals are always a good idea. Its only good financially, and we dont need any cash. What is certain, we could do with Sinclairs innovation against Wham on Saturday imo.

Mmm, he might put a dent in Bristol Citys promotion bid on Tuesday.

Interesting how Hiddink is fav, but some are ridiculous -Houlier ? and Mourinho wont come back. From Mirror Newspapers Bookies are suggesting that with behind-the-scenes discontent growing, Terry's number is also up at Chelsea and offer just 9-4 that he's no longer at the club come the end of the August transfer deadline, with Frank Lampard 7-4 to be away. Grants always expire, whether it's a student grant, a government grant or an Avram Grant, and the Chelsea boss is as short as 5-6 to be staring with those baggy eyes from a different dug-out next season. I'd be tempted to sack Grant just to see if his expression got any more miserable than it is already. Grant hasn't got the hang of things. After Sunday's Carling Cup Final defeat questions have been asked about his team selection and you do have to wonder why he chose Chelsea. You can get 8-1 that Grant fields the same starting XI against West Ham this week as he did against Spurs at Wembley. Next Chelsea boss (VC Bet): 11-4 G Hiddink, 9-2 F Rijkaard, 13-2 M Lippi, 10-1 L Scolari, M Hughes, 14-1 D Advocaat, G Zola, 16-1 R Levy, J Klinsmann, 20-1 G Houllier, 28-1 J Mourinho

Its obviously a knee jerk reaction from Mr Toad being scheize to wanting Riijkaard, and maybe there are better candidates, but the positive is hes worked with Ten Coats. Anyway, Rijkaard's record As a player 1980 Made senior debut aged 17 for Ajax under Leo Beenhakker 1982 Won championship with Ajax, the first of three titles in his first spell at the club 1987 Fell out with Johan Cruyff, eventually going out on loan to Real Zaragoza before moving to Milan where he achieved legendary status 1988 Arrigo Sacchi converted him from central defender to world-class midfielder in a side with Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit who won the European Cup twice and Serie A title twice. As an international won Euro 88 and a semi-finalist in 1992 As a manager 2000 Despite inexperience as a manager, he guided Holland to the Euro 2000 semi-finals 2003 After a difficult start he turned around Barcelona's fortunes. They finished runners-up in first season before winning La Liga twice 2006 Won Champions League, beating Arsenal in the final

More YouTube Gael

I wonder how much compensation the Yids would want for Juande Ramos ? Riijkaard is the spitting image of this fella

Sounds a good prospect Get in Kakakakakakuta http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwX1gKbsk0Q