Just before Newcastle played Chelsea, about 3 weeks ago, Kevin Keegan said that if Avram Grant was in trouble at Chelsea, then all managers are vulnerable.
Avram Grant - did great job for Chelsea
Before the game with Chelsea on May 5th last, Kevin Keegan told Sky Sports News:
“Chelsea have had a great season, the manager has had a fantastic season and despite that he seems not to be doing a very good job there,”
“All I can say is it makes the rest of us look very vulnerable if Avram Grant is in trouble.”
Well, since that day, Chelsea easily defeated Newcastle 2-0, after we held Chelsea well in the first half, and the London team then went right down to the wire, but finally lost the Premier League title on the very last day of the season, and ended up just 2 points short of Man United.
Then last Wednesday, in a gripping game with Man United, in the first ever all England European Champions Final, where in all truth we thought Chelsea were the better team on the night, a slip by Chelsea Captain John Terry on the vital 5th penalty following extra time, cost Chelsea their first ever European Champions Cup.
But such is football and such is life.
An inconsolable John Terry after the game, showed the big man is all heart, and he was completely devastated as he was quite sure he had let all the Chelsea supporters down.
Little does John know that he’s even closer to the Chelsea fans now, than he ever has been, because of that very human mistake, albeit at the very worst time imaginable, but that’s life sometimes.
So Chelsea, for the first time since 2004, have won nothing in a season, although they were very close to winning three trophies. Chelsea had also only just been beaten 2-1 in the Carling Cup Final by Tottenham Hotspur.
But such is fate, and as Charles Dickens quoted, in the novel A Christmas Carol, almost doesn’t count.
And of course Jose Mourinho was only too willing today to say that almost is nothing, and when you almost win things, that’s another way of describing losing.
We’re sure Grant was only too happy to hear those encouraging words of support from Jose. 
But Avram Grant, who always looked to us like a bulldog, who you want to cheer up, can hold his head up high.
He’s done a great job at Chelsea this season, and his record there is just superb, and those are the facts.
And one very important characteristic about him, that captured the imagination of football fans the world over, is that he carried himself with a great dignity during turbulent times.
He’s done great, whether he’s been sacked or not, and you cannot ask anybody to do any more than his best - and that’s just exactly what this man has done, in an almost impossibly difficult job.
And we salute him.
Comments welcome.
43 responses so far ↓
1 Hadrian // May 25, 2008 at 17:49
yeah so i wonder if lampard signs a new contract ?
and do you reckon we should get rid of drogba ? but who would we bring in to replace him .
and should we invest some cash into non slip football boot research ?
2 euanpolo // May 25, 2008 at 17:50
People always complain about the way newcastle go through managers, but at least we sacked managers who didn’t bring us success. I think Abramovic is asking to much of Avram Grant to win something in his first season. Most of the players are Mourinho’s and Grant only had January to sign anyone. Shocking yet unsurprising, probably Rijkaard will take over.
3 Ben_BKK // May 25, 2008 at 17:59
“and should we invest some cash into non slip football boot research ?”
LOL
I take it your whole post is in jest…probably due to the fact that it has nothing to do with NUFC. That’s what my first thoughts were upon reading this.
4 seetow // May 25, 2008 at 18:02
LOL.
“looks like a bulldog” … certainly does eh!
and i think king kev looks like the singer in air supply.
5 Ben_BKK // May 25, 2008 at 18:05
There’s a photo of him that I often see in which he looks like the Grinch haha
6 Mad_Magpie // May 25, 2008 at 18:05
Surprising, especially as Grant’s record is actually better than Mourinho’s at Chelsea, although with less games of course. They may have finished 2nd in three competitions, but there is no prize for the runners up. Wouldn’t see Rijkaard as a surprise, to be joined back up with Ten Cate, although I think Ambromivich will persuade Guus Hiddink to leave the Russia job for the post.
I see Kun Aguero going to replace Drogba too
7 toon1978 // May 25, 2008 at 18:06
Its beggers belief that Abromovich can treat people in this manner. How an earth does he get away with it and i bet the stuck up prick wants Mourinho back. If i were Mourinho i’d ell him where to stick it. It will be his own down fall because no one will want to manage Chelsea if Grant can get them to a european final and finish 2nd in the EPL and get sacked. If this was Nufc then we would be getting massive stick from all quarters but because this is a London club the press turn blind eye. In my opinion the press are shite are their job and have to fabricate stories and lose respectable managers their jobs.
8 scott9 // May 25, 2008 at 18:12
how pethetic is this he didnt loose them the champions league final the players did is jonn terry gonna b put on the transfer list for missing a penalty that wud hav won them the game i dont think so chelsea why by far the better side second half and shud have one the game but just didnt put the ball in the bak of the net n thats not avrams fault
9 Leo // May 25, 2008 at 18:15
toon1978 i totally agree, its dispicable for roman to do this.
10 toonoholic // May 25, 2008 at 18:16
why are we talking about avram grant ?
wats up with keegan ?
11 Tom_Toon // May 25, 2008 at 18:17
Cant call him Avramsmebitch anymore
12 daiv // May 25, 2008 at 18:18
Who cares about Avram Grant? Chelski is run by the Russian m……. You live by the sword and die by the sword. He’ll get loads of comp. Good riddance.
13 Tooner // May 25, 2008 at 18:30
Grant was always going to be sacked at the end of the season.
He took them to two finals and failed both times. Also failed in the league.
Time to go.
14 Jonny // May 25, 2008 at 18:35
toon1978, unfortunately your wrong, everyone will still want to manage chelsea coz of the obscene wages they pay their staff, theyve destroyed the transfer market as everyone now demands the same amount, and managers and players will come just because of the money, even if they only stay a year they’ll still set themselves up for life
15 daiv // May 25, 2008 at 18:50
Toon 1978
Chill out man. Who cares about Chelski. NUFC is no better. We did the came to Sir Bob. We are no better. Freddie got rid of Sir Bob and MA will get rid of KK if it suits. Thats football. There are no morals. Just the team.
16 MathewS.africa1988 // May 25, 2008 at 18:56
I reckon at least 5 or 6 players will get the axe to. Pizzaro, swp,sidwell,anelka, mikel,kalou, ben haim, bridge etc. I think any1 of those players would be an asset to us. And should all be relatively cheap… Put in an offer or two? Wat you think?
17 daiv // May 25, 2008 at 18:56
Ed
Grant “did a great job” and got sacked. He did a great job in NUFC terms but not for Abramovitch because he lost. Not good enough to be a great loser at Chelsea.
18 toon1978 // May 25, 2008 at 18:58
Jonny looking at this from your pint of view is correct but why an earth would someone want to manage Chelsea only to be sacked 6 mths down the line only to wreck the reputation potential managers have build up over the years by a mindless billionaire who only thinks about himself. A playboy who as no respect for nobody because of the obscene amount of money he has he just collects and ditches people for his own ego and satisfaction i better watch what i am saying he might sent the Russian mafia down to my place lol but yes if the man who takes over is only their for financial gain then you are right Jonny but otherwise if the man is there to win trophies and put his heart and soul into the club then you are wrong but i recon there is very little passion in our beloved Football at this present time because of the obscene amount of money involved in the game.
19 Steveo // May 25, 2008 at 19:06
who gives a fack.. surely something better to write about ed?
20 toon1978 // May 25, 2008 at 19:07
WHATS HAPPENNING AT THE TOON????????????………………………..NOWT.
21 Marat18 // May 25, 2008 at 20:10
anybody watching Turkey - Uruguay game?
How’s Turan doing?
btw, he scored the opener, 1:1 atm.
22 Mac // May 25, 2008 at 20:22
I must admit to being slightly worried by the lack of info or activity at Newcastle. Not sure if we’re working hard behind the scenes or if we’re not actually doing anything because of the lack of money or intrest in players wanting to join the Toon.
23 NUFCFAN // May 25, 2008 at 20:25
Thought this was an nufc blog?!
24 przemekdwa // May 25, 2008 at 20:25
Turan is doing very well , he scores a goal.Emre is very very good, Uruguay have a lot of problems to stop him.
25 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 25, 2008 at 20:29
marat- turan scored the opener?
26 GazzaToon // May 25, 2008 at 20:30
would you guys stop moaning about a lack of activity the transfer window isnt even open yet! and plus everyone knows most signings happen in the last month of the window as most clubs wont let players go until they get their replacements lined up!
27 Marat18 // May 25, 2008 at 20:43
http://www.livescore.com/default.dll/Game?comp=intl&game=243344
28 Alex // May 25, 2008 at 20:55
spot on Gazza Toon .It could well be that Kev is waiting to see who will be available when the Window opens.Also the likes of Turan are too focused on the euro finals to be thinking about entering talks about a transfer.Lets just wait and see guys .Transfers will happen before the season starts.
29 chuck // May 25, 2008 at 21:18
Who had ever heard of Grant before he came to Chelsea?
Yeah sure the season went fairly well but face it he had the horses, even Abramavich could manage a team of athletes like Chelsea and who is to say he did`nt.
All this sympathy for someone without a track record , a virtual nobody in the field, is laughable.
Listen the guy had his day in the sun, lets leave it there, its not as if he will go on to manage Barcelona , more likely back to the level where he belongs, perhaps the Israeli national team.
30 Spyro // May 25, 2008 at 21:30
jose couldn’t wait to start flapping his gums, i am glad that arrogant twat got sacked the way he did, he thinks he is too big and i am sure his sacking dented his confidence.
31 toon4lyf // May 25, 2008 at 21:30
well we shouldnt buy anelka neway wat a prick he is
32 Spyro // May 25, 2008 at 21:31
what is it about portugal and arrogant prats. Mourinho, Ronaldo, Deco, Nani, Quaresma just to name a few
33 Spyro // May 25, 2008 at 21:31
why is anelka a prick?
34 Alex // May 25, 2008 at 21:44
Chuck
Grant was the Isreal national team coach before he went to chelsea .
35 toon4lyf // May 25, 2008 at 22:11
he didn try in d champo league final he was interviewed yesterday and he was complaining that he didn have enuf time to warm up.he was sulking when he came on and he refused to take the fifth penalty
36 chuck // May 25, 2008 at 22:17
Alex, My point!
37 D B F // May 25, 2008 at 23:32
correct me if im wrong but isnt this an nufc blog? so who gives a flyin f*ck about avram grant or anything 2 do with chelsea
38 Spyro // May 26, 2008 at 1:18
toon4lyfe complaining about not having enough time to warm up is fair enough. Also, not wanting to take a penalty is also fair enough, if you do not feel like you are in the mental state to take a penalty then you shouldn’t take one. It could cost your team if you do.
your points for saying he is a prick a weightless
39 Ross // May 26, 2008 at 2:07
spyro he’s a striker at one of the biggest football clubs in our league, being paid disgusting wages, and is participating in the champions league final..why on earth was he moaning about taking a penalty. what he hell did he expect!?
“dont worry nicolas, we’ll let cech take yours instead shall we, there there”
8 different clubs, england, turkey, france, spain, and he’s 29 years old. the man is a mercenary, he goes where the money is. good player or not he’d be a huge gamble for any club because if he’s not happy, he doesnt try.
40 craig chisholm // May 26, 2008 at 5:11
forgetting avram, i think there is some substance in ashley selling us lads. look at it, he has paid off all the debt and got us running smoothly behind the scenes. we will be turning in a decent profit now for sure on the books. then look at complete reluctance at spending any money etc and you know that he is just lining us up for a sell out. i think its coming, really i do. i hope that we go to someone like DIC - dubai invetment company etc. We need billionaires, not millionaires, without a doubt, the Al Muktoom family who basically own Dubai are more weathly than Abramovich. It would be interesting and i for one would actually like to see us sold to them. i dont think Ashley has the heart for us anymore. He got involved, realised it was a seriously huge job and has went about trimming the costs, and making us look like a viable football club in terms of stability and profit. he is selling out, put money on it. If he can get the 300 million that is being touted about he has done well, he will have outlayed 240 -250 million and made 50 million profit in a year…. good buisiness eh!
41 Slam Dunc // May 26, 2008 at 8:31
This made me laugh, Keegan for Chelsea:
http://www.trophy4toon.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=199.0
42 Graham // May 26, 2008 at 9:03
I wonder if Chelsea will get the same stick from the London press as we did for getting rid of Allardyce….doubt it somehow
Oh and can we stop calling them chelski ffs? It boils my p**s!
43 Flan1984 // May 26, 2008 at 11:51
new brand of vodka in shops soon. made in london bottled in moscow they’re callin it John Terry.
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