Roman Abramovich went silent for four days, then I was sacked.. we had chance to make Chelsea the best team in the world
FORMER Chelsea manager Avram Grant has revealed Roman Abramovich did not speak to him for FOUR DAYS after the 2008 Champions League final.
Grant, 67, was brought to Stamford Bridge as director of football in July 2007.
But just two months later he was named the Blues’ interim head coach following the departure of Jose Mourinho.
And Chelsea pushed Manchester United all the way in the Premier League, coming up short by just two points.
Then in Europe it was much of the same for Grant and his side.
They faced the Red Devils in the Champions Leagur final in Moscow and the match went to penalties.
John Terry had the chance to win the Champions League from the spot, but slipped and fired his effort off the post.
Nicolas Anelka went on to miss the decisive penalty as Man Utd were crowned European champions for a third time.
After the final, Grant revealed Abramovich did not say anything to him for four days.
And when the pair did speak, the Israeli coach was told he would be returning to his role as director of football – ending his stint as manager.
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But Grant did not wish to return to that position, so he left the club altogether.
Speaking on “Fever Pitch: The Battle for the Premier League” – which is exclusively available on Paramount+ – about the 2007/08 season, he said: “We came second place (in the league), but I remember I think in my first or second (press conference), I said that my target is to be first time in Champions League final.
“Now we had the opportunity to be the best in the world.
“I remember that we received the [Manchester United] team and there was [Wayne] Rooney and [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Carlos] Tevez. Then he changed the team so the first 15 minutes, which was a little bit confusing.
“After 20 minutes we did internal change and then we dominated the game completely.
“We played really much better than them. I think even Alex [Ferguson] knows that. But then we come to penalties.
“Oh, it was unfortunate, because John Terry was really, I think, maybe his best season. He played so good in this season.”
ROMAN SILENCE
He continued: “[Roman] Abramovich didn’t call me [after the final]. Three, four days we didn’t speak. And then he called me to his house and he said, We need to prepare the season, the next season.
“So I say, Okay. And he said to me, you are continuing the job as director of football. So, okay. And I didn’t agree to be director of football, and I left.
“I felt upset because I felt that we are so close to be the best in the world. We were so close. But he’s the boss. He’s my friend. We need to respect that.
“I didn’t agree with this, but I will always remember also that he gave me the chance.”
After leaving Chelsea, Grant went on to manage the likes of Portsmouth, West Ham, Partizan Belgrade and Ghana.
He is now the head coach of the Zambia national team.