Avram Quietly Disputing That Whole ‘Special’ Thing

By: chris | December 14th, 2007

After Jose Mourinho was sacked by mutual agreement, Sky Sports somehow transitioned into Comedy Central. The drama never ceased, over-the-top punditry was on call like the only OB-GYN in town, and the list of replacements was long and packed with some of the sport’s best thinkers. Early odds had it that Guus Hiddink would go from Abramovic pen pal to Abramovich employee, but that never materialized. The backup names of sideline superstars such as Marcello Lippi, Jurgen Klinsmann, and Fabio Capello were bandied about. And while Jose continued to steal the spotlight, per usual, Avram Grant quietly slipped into the captain’s seat, righted the ship, got those expected results, and as a reward, now has a brand spankin’ new four year contract.

After the “tragedy” that was Mourinho leaving/given a swift kick in the ass out the door, you would see various reports pop up how the Chelsea dynasty was in shambles, that things would never be more blue in the Blue side of London. Plenty have bought the Mourinho hype, but not many bought into Avram. The guy who is getting the results that Jose should have been getting.

Avram came with little fanfare in his CV. Actually, he came with zero fanfare. His only employers prior to Chelsea were in Israel and Portsmouth, where he had a cameo as Technical Director in 2006. When he was brought on as Director of Football in London, there was much speculation it was to help Andriy Shevchenko, Roman’s BFF, whose career was(is) wilting before Europe’s eyes. When he was promoted it was largely thought he would become Pinocchio to Roman’s Geppetto, with Andriy getting the playing time he was expected to get. That hasn’t happened, and Andriy is just as underplayed as ever. Looks like only Avram is in charge of Avram. (Maybe he learned a thing or two from Jose.)

AG was given a trial by fire in his debut on the Chelsea sidelines, facing 12 men at Old Trafford in what I can only say - as an unbiased observer who dislikes both clubs - was one of the most horrendously officiated games I’ve ever seen in any sport. They “lost” that game, drew the next at home to Fulham, and things were not looking wonderful whatsoever for the tenure of Avram Grant. Then, something strange happened, and Chelsea starting clicking like…well…Chelsea.

In the 14 games since October 1st, Chelsea has won 11 and drawn 3 in all competitions, making Avram’s total CSKA London record 12-1-4, which ain’t that bad. Before Jose departed, his record this year was 3-2-3, including an embarrassing loss at Aston Villa and draw with Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge. We all know what ~~Abramovich’s~~ Mourinho’s trophy cabinet looks like, but those are some pretty decent results being won by Avram.

As is the case with Jose, there are countless other gaffers in Europe and spanning the globe who are infinitely better tacticians, many with better motivational skills, who were not afforded the luxury of carte blanche with Roman’s wallet, and could do just the same - including lining up that trophy cabinet - with the resources in West London. Hell, I firmly believe this team should have been the recreation of Milan’s Invincibles, with much greater success in Europe than Chelsea has seen.

It’s far too early for anything definitive, and Avram has a real test awaiting with Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou off to the African Nations Cup for a month, but I’m sure there’s a fan or two out there wondering the same as I: Jose who?

(Journalists still miss him dearly, though.)