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Avram Grant sacked: Rijkaard and Hiddink on the list

May 25th, 2008 | By: Jan | 9 Comments »

Avram Grant demonstrates his euphoric happy side

A livid Avram Grant walked away from the meeting with Chelsea owner Abramovic, a man he though was his friend, after he was told he couldn’t stay on as manager of the first team. Roman Abramovic did offer his old job – thechnical manager for 4 Mio euros per year! – but the proud Israelian refused.

Grant suspects that he was sacked because he didn’t win the Champions League. In other words, if John Terry hadn’t slipped on the grass while taking the – what had to be – final penalty.

Statistics show that Grant was the most successful manager at Stamford Bridge in the history of the club. But statistics can’t be put in the prize cupboard. As Mourinho said after the CL finals: a manager who is happy with coming second in the EPL and the CL is a big loser!

So, Grant is out. And most players won’t whine about it. Players who want to remain anonymous told the press about his blunders. Like totally forgetting a mid week Carling Cup game. Or not remembering who the next opponent was. He even didn’t know the procedure with training in the stadium before matches… It seems Grant lacked the hands on experience of a coach and he certainly lacked the charisma Chelsea needs. Like Gullit, Vialli and Mourinho before him did have.

Abramovic apparently realized his mistake during the season. For next season, Guus Hiddink and Frank Rijkaard top the wish list of the rich collector. Hiddink already had a first secret meeting with Abramovic. It seemed Hiddink had a new contract for the Russian team, but that contract hasn’t been signed yet. Some officials in Moscow want to wait till after the EC, to see how well the team does.

Funnily enough, it’s Abramovic who pays Hiddink’s salaries! We can only guess what kind of game is played in the background.

Abramovic is also a big fan of Rijkaard. The man oozes charisma and was able to play sexy football with Barca and collect silverware. Rijkaard and Ten Cate are also a good match. The question however is, is Frank ready to go back to work? He stated after his tenure at Barca, that he wanted to take a year out. Which is typical Frank Rijkaard. Read books, travel, learn a new language, paint, go scuba diving and organize an anti Iraq war protest. Well, maybe not the latter…

Tags: Chelsea, CL and UEFA, Grant, Hiddink, International, Oranje, Rijkaard

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Comments

By TIM | May 25th, 2008 at 10:10 pm

BOth are excellent choices.

Posted from Canada

By Rob | May 25th, 2008 at 10:25 pm

Grant’s sacking was an absolute disgrace. The PFA need to have words with charimen like Abramovich and Thaksin Shinawatra, because they’re sacking coaches for no reason.

If Rijkaard goes to Chelsea I think he’ll do much worse than Grant – the squad’s breaking up this season and I can see him being a major failure. Hiddink’s a great coach but hasn’t managed to top club for a while – there have to be question marks over whether he could cope with the pressure of expectancy. I don’t think it will be Hiddink who takes charge though.

Posted from Japan

By Jan | May 25th, 2008 at 10:43 pm

I agree!

It’s a bit of a snake pit. I can imagine more people being weary of getting in to bed with Abramovic.

I also don’t feel Guus will do it. He likes to work for the underdog. Low expectations and all, so Gus can make an impact with his mental games. As a coach, tactically and all, I have never been too enthusiastic about Hiddink. He is a great people manager but not necessarily a great coach for a club like Chelsea. He didn’t do too good in Madrid, remember?

The problem at Chelsea is probably….Abramovic.

Posted from Australia

By Michel-Olivier | May 25th, 2008 at 10:47 pm

rykaard is not going to chelski because chelski play defensive football, and rykaard philosophy is offensive one touch football.
lippi and mancini is on the list too.

Posted from United States

By Rob | May 25th, 2008 at 11:51 pm

Also, interestingly, I read recently that Abramovich is only loaning Chelsea the 600m pounds he has put into the club. So basically, if he pulls out or dies they’re in big trouble.

I think Mancini may be the most likely candidate, though Frank is definitely possible with Ten Cate there.

Posted from Japan

By Adrian | May 26th, 2008 at 3:05 am

Generally I would agree with you, Rob. I’m somebody who believes it takes time for a coach to get all his ideas through and if the team comes second in EPL and CL, the coach hasn’t done all wrong.
However, I believe the problem with Grant was a bit deeper than just the missed titles. I’ve read an interview with Ballack and he said that during the series of bad results in the league, it was actually the players who took initiative, sat together and decided what needed change and how. Obviously Grant didn’t get through to the players, wasn’t really a leader and didn’t commend their respect. In that light it makes sense to fire him.

Posted from Australia

By Bob | May 26th, 2008 at 6:25 pm

I have written at other times how much I dislike any sports team that is “bought”, with the idea that big money will win leagues, tournaments, etc.Here in the US the model supreme for that type of philosophy is the New York Yankees, a baseball team owned by a wealthy family that thought it could “buy” World Series victories year after year. In 25 years, only 4 championships. Then, when the championships stop coming, the best manager in Yankee history is unceremoniously dumped. I have always rooted against the Yankees, for this very philosophy, and feel the same toward Chelsea. Why would any of the talented Dutch coaches want that pressure cooker, where you can only meet expectations and no one will understand if you do not bring instant success. Neither Hiddink nor Rijkaard should take the job, nor any other Dutch coach with a future. Coaches should never be “owned” by any wealthy owner, but should retain an independence to job the job as best possible. I am pleased that Man U. prevailed over Chelsea in every meaningful way this past season, even though I would rather it had been Liverpool or Arsenal that had been so successful.

Posted from United States

By Jan | May 26th, 2008 at 6:58 pm

Fully agree! In general, why would someone like Rijkaard, who doesn’t need to work for money anyway, would want to do this stressfull job for any other club than the ones he carries in his heart? Like JC, who only wanted to work for Barca, Ajax and Oranje.

I can see Frankie work at AC Milan, Ajax and that’s it.

I am also very interested to learn what Sir Alex’ plans are… And who will be his successor. And how tough will that job be for that person…

Posted from Australia

By Tjeerd | May 26th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

Bob is totally right. The new Chelsea coach would have to win the EPL, and, or the CL in order to be a success. You have very little margin for improvement.

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