Grant gossip




Chelsea are hunting for a new manager after sacking Avram Grant on Saturday.

BBC Sport monitors the latest reaction to Grant's exit and reports on who might succeed him at Stamford Bridge.


NEWSPAPERS
Avram Grant says he feels "completely betrayed" following his sacking as Chelsea boss. (News of the World)

Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard is the early favourite to become Chelsea's new boss after Grant's exit. (News of the World)

606: DEBATE
Who should succeed Avram Grant at Chelsea?

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has emerged as a shock contender for the Chelsea job. (Sunday Express)

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is also in the running for the Stamford Bridge post. (Mail on Sunday)

Eriksson could take a senior role above Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini. (The Independent)

And Grant could make an immediate return to management by replacing Eriksson at City. (The Independent)

Sources close to Jose Mourinho say he is likely to take over at Inter Milan rather than return to Chelsea this summer - but do not rule out him coming back to the Blues in the future. (The Observer)


BBC RADIO 5 LIVE
"Grant was little more than a stop-gap. He never really had the CV, never really had the experience, never really had the clout to fill the boots of Jose Mourinho." (5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard)

"It's a little harsh on Avram because he worked hard to keep the ship afloat but it was the big one, the Champions League - it was in Russia, Abramovich was there, and Grant lost it." (Ex-Chelsea player and manager John Hollins)

"It's very, very unfair particularly because of the success he did. You know, John Terry should have scored the penalty and Chelsea would have been champions of Europe and Avram would have stayed, so you can't blame Avram Grant because John Terry missed a penalty." (Avi Cohen, chairman of the Israeli Football Association and a friend of Grant)

"I think it's a terrible decision to make. The man's done an incredible job at Chelsea football club, following the great Mourinho. He hardly lost a game. He lost a game the other night on penalty kick which could have gone the other way. I think it's disgraceful." (Former Chelsea manager Tommy Docherty)

"I think they need a change of managerial philosophy. I personally would go for Guus Hiddink but I can see Rijkaard coming in." (Daily Telegraph's Henry Winter)