Source: Daily_Mail
Friday Five: Managers who faced make-or-break games like West Ham's Avram Grant
Avram Grant could be in charge of his final West Ham match at Birmingham this weekend, with his job hanging in the balance following the team's worst-ever start in the Premier League. [LNB]They might deny it, but owners David Sullivan and David Gold will not take kindly to an embarrassment at their former club on Saturday.[LNB]With the Hammers languishing at the bottom of the table, Grant will have to produce something special to turn things around.[LNB]We look at five other managers who reached judgement day and went into a match with their career on a knife-edge...[LNB] What's going on? Avram Grant is on the brink at West Ham[LNB]Claudio RanieriRanieri's woes began when Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003. Abramovich was displeased with Ranieri's inconsistent results and questionable substitutions, which earned the Italian the nickname 'The Tinkerman'. [LNB]Before Chelsea's 3-1 defeat by Monaco in the Champions League the following April, Ranieri said to the press: 'Hello my sharks. Welcome to the funeral.' [LNB]He received a standing ovation when they beat Leeds 1-0 on May 15, but his sacking came two weeks later. [LNB] Don't get too close: Abramovich (left) shakes hands with his inherited Chelsea boss Ranieri[LNB]Martin JolTottenham entered the 2007-08 season following a summer spend of £40million, with a manager who had got them into European competition for a second season running. [LNB]But Jol's side lost their first two games, and Sevilla boss Juande Ramos claimed the club had made him a 'dizzying offer'. [LNB]Jol (right) was fired halfway through Tottenham's 2-1 defeat by Getafe in the UEFA Cup on October 27. He said he found out when his nephew received a text message.[LNB]Walking wounded: Hughes (right) patrols the touchline against Hull last year but his City fate was decided[LNB]Mark HughesManchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak announced before the 2009-10 season that sixth place would be an adequate return from £120million investment.[LNB]But after City won only two Premier League games in 11, and were crushed 3-0 by Tottenham, Hughes's days were numbered. [LNB]Replacement Roberto Mancini was lined up even before City beat Sunderland 4-3 and moved into sixth position. [LNB]It was too late for Hughes. There was 'no evidence' of change, said Khaldoon.[LNB]Alex FergusonLong before he became a Sir, Fergie arrived at Manchester United in 1986 to revitalise the club. But by 1990 titles still evaded him and an 11th-place finish the previous season had left him vulnerable. [LNB]In January, United beat Nottingham Forest in the third-round FA Cup replay through a solitary goal from Mark Robins. [LNB]Four months later, Lee Marvin gave Ferguson another 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. The manager took home the cup and he never looked back.[LNB] Survivor: Ferguson celebrates with Manchester United captain Bryan Robson after winning the FA Cup in 1990[LNB]Christian GrossGross lasted only nine months at Tottenham, instantly seen as an amateur by chairman Alan Sugar and the press. [LNB]He arrived from Switzerland in November 1997 late and waving his Underground ticket, of which he said: 'I want this to become my ticket to the dreams'. [LNB]By the end of his first season Spurs were four points off the drop zone. Three games into his second, Spurs lost 3-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday. [LNB]Naturally, Sugar had him fired.[LNB] Is that a return ticket? Gross flashes his Underground pass at his first Tottenham press conference[LNB] The Friday Five: Players who braved both sides of the Tyne-Wear divideThe Friday Five: Stars who have felt the wrath of the fans who used to adore themThe Friday Five: Players who bravely turned out for both Merseyside giants Liverpool and Everton The Friday Five: Classic Arsenal v Chelsea clashes in recent history Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Mark Hughes, Alan Sugar, David Sullivan, David Gold, Martin Jol, Roman Abramovich, Juande Ramos Places: Leeds, Manchester, Monaco, Birmingham, Monaco, Switzerland
