Source: Daily_Mail
You dumped me! Portsmouth chief Avram Grant blasts Chelsea over exit
[LNB]Blast: Portsmouth boss Avram Grant[LNB]Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has launched a stinging attack on former clubChelsea, insisting he will never forget the way they unceremoniously dumpedhim. [LNB]Grant took over from Jose Mourinho in September 2007 and was handed a four-yearcontract at Stamford Bridge three months later.[LNB]Under the Israeli Chelsea lost just two league games, narrowly missing out onthe Barclays Premier League title to Manchester United, who also beat them inthe Champions League final on penalties. [LNB]Despite Grant's success his contract was terminated, something he believes wasa mistake on their part. [LNB]'If I had been manager at the start of the season and we had played as well aswe had finished the campaign, Chelsea not Manchester United would have beenPremier League champions,' Grant told the Mirror. [LNB]'Andhow close were we from winning the Champions League? A penalty away. SoI can tell you with total honesty that I was not happy with the waytheytreated me in the end. [LNB]'There were a lot of negative things that happened, things I didn't like andfind hard to forget. I was very proud of what I achieved at Chelsea but their big mistake was totake what I did for granted. [LNB]'I felt it was important the club had continuity and was looking towardslong-term stability. I always believed that it would be easier in the second season. But I wasnever given the chance.' [LNB] Agonising: Avram Grant missed out on Champions League glory with Chelsea[LNB]Grant will meet his former club next weekend when Portsmouth take on Chelsea inthe FA Cup final. [LNB]Despite his broadside, Grant claims he still has many friends at Chelsea,including billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. [LNB]He added: 'I appreciate the owner gave me the chance to manage and then heoffered to make me a director which I declined. I don't forget that.[LNB]'There were many good things at Chelsea and I still have a great affection forthe club. [LNB]'After Portsmouth beat Tottenham in the semi-final most of the Chelsea playerssent me text messages.'[LNB]Meanwhile, Grant wants to remain as Portsmouth manager - but only if he can stick torunning the team. [LNB]Grant has presided over a season which brought relegation in thewake of a nine-point deduction after the club entered administration withspiralling debts.[LNB] Forever friends: Avram Grant is still close with some of the Chelsea players[LNB]They could yet face further punishment in the Coca-Cola Championship with theirfinancial problems still a major cause for concern.[LNB]Grant's own future has been a topic of debate for some time, and while headmits he could leave, he is hoping to stay. [LNB]'I love the fans and I love the city. It's a lovestory,' said the Pompey boss.[LNB]"If I can work like a manager of football and only a manager of football andnot like this year, when I needed to be a manager of football and many, manyother things... [LNB]'I don't know if you know, I was a financial man, I was a lawyer, I was manyother things. [LNB]'This I will not do one season more. I don't think it is a good idea, not forme, not for the club. But I want to think positively, I want to think everything will be okay. [LNB]'Butpeople don't know what it is to work under the pressures we have had this year. [LNB]'Even though I know everybody has sympathy for us, they don't know what it isto come day by day and don't know what is the problem. [LNB]'When you come in every day and you don't know anything, I don't want it to belike this.'[LNB] Portsmouth facing 17-point deduction after new tax blow Ups and downs: Our guide to the all the promotion and relegation drama Carlo Ancelotti eyes Chelsea history as Manchester United pray for a miracle on Premier League judgment day[LNB]
