Grant - I was Chelsea fall guy

[Badboy 1,526]

Avram Grant returns to Chelsea on Wednesday night keen to put one over Roman Abramovich after feeling like the fall guy during his time at Stamford Bridge.

The Portsmouth boss has very different problems at Fratton Park than he experienced at Chelsea but when reflecting on his time in the capital it clearly still rankles.

Grant was a surprise successor to Jose Mourinho but quietly won over the sceptics in taking Chelsea to the UEFA Champions league final in his solitary season in charge.

Manchester United claimed the European Cup that year and Chelsea also had to play bridesmaids in the league as Grant paid the price with his job.

Grant claims Blues owner Abramovich blamed him for all manner of the club's disappointments throughout his tenure.

"Every day there is always someone in the street who will remind me of that John Terry penalty. Would I have kept my job if we had won the Champions League? I really don't know," said Grant.

"The chairman said it was my fault Terry missed and it was my fault that we didn't start that season so well.

"He forgot I wasn't the manager at the beginning. It was all my fault. That was my job as the manager - to be guilty."

Grant, who is still negotiating a pay-off following his dismissal at Chelsea, was eventually replaced by the higher profile but less successful Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Vindicated

The Brazilian's time at the helm was even shorter than Grant's and the Pompey chief feels vindicated in his belief that the club made a mistake in his axing.

"I proved everything I needed to at Chelsea. The facts speak for themselves," he continued.

"It was more than anyone at the club expected. I can only be proud. It was one of the best seasons in their history.

"The team was not in a good situation when I took over. Not in terms of performance, not in points and not in Europe after they had just drawn against Rosenborg.

"Nobody knew who I was and I was trying to do things a different way to Mourinho, which was going to take time.

"Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson needed more than one year to put their influence on the team. I did it in a very short time with the help of a great staff and great players.

"I believed it was right for me to stay because the team was improving all the time.

"Every month we got better. In the last three months we won all the big games.

"But the owner made a decision. I had two choices - to look back or look forward. I chose to look forward."

[Badboy 1,526]

I cant believe roman blamed him for the terry penalty kick.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I blame Roman for sacking Mourinho, to be honest. I have nothing against Grant; fall guy or not he was the manager and he gets the credit for us. Only bloke to have taken us to a Champions League final, afterall. But we wouldn't have been in that mess if Mourinho hadn't have been sacked.

But anyway, its all in the past, all I'm concerned about is the fact we won.

[Badboy 1,526]

I blame Roman for sacking Mourinho, to be honest. I have nothing against Grant; fall guy or not he was the manager and he gets the credit for us. Only bloke to have taken us to a Champions League final, afterall. But we wouldn't have been in that mess if Mourinho hadn't have been sacked.

But anyway, its all in the past, all I'm concerned about is the fact we won.

Bluelion if roman is blaming grant for something that clearly was not his fault at all, how much does our owner really know about football ?

[ZanSnake 1,211]

I think Roman meant blaming him for choosing him to go up for such a vital penalty at a vital moment of a vital game.

[Badboy 1,526]

I think Roman meant blaming him for choosing him to go up for such a vital penalty at a vital moment of a vital game.

Well anelka said no, lampard and ballack had taken penalties their was only john terry their brave enough to take it.

Edited December 17, 2009 by Badboy

[ZanSnake 1,211]

what about petr?

[EskWeston 696]

I think Grant is talking out his backside, Roman wouldn't blame him for Terry missing the pen. Plus he gives himself a lot more credit than he deserves...

[Shane 2,275]

Grant for me did a brilliant job, Came in when the circumstances were very difficult.

[Kez 2,727]

Grant for me did a brilliant job, Came in when the circumstances were very difficult.

I agree and it was great to see him get the reception he did.

[n3o7 0]

he was only at the wrong time, he did a pretty ok job, ending up runners up at the league and the champions league which is quite amazing

[Stanley 0]

"That was my job as the manager - to be guilty"

Grant 100% right!Many fans (remember "you don't know what are doing!"?) and media (especially british media and Matt Hughes from Times) hates Grant.But he did really good job.So good luck Avram with Pompey!