Grant Deserves Sympathy

Chelsea have sacked manager Avram Grant after just eight months in charge. The decision followed two days of talks between Grant, 53, and the club's chief executive Peter Kenyon. The Israeli coach's position had been subject to intense speculation after Chelsea finished runners-up in the Premier League and Champions League.

Russia coach Guus Hiddink, fellow Dutchman Frank Rijkaard and Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson are among the early favourites to replace Grant.

Chelsea said in a statement on their website that the search for a new coach would now begin and that the club will make no further comment. The statement said: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated today. This follows meetings over the last two days. Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September. We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made."

Avram Grant cradled heartbroken John Terry in his arms as Chelsea's iconic captain broke down in despair after missing the penalty the would have won the Champions League. It is to be hoped there is sympathy left over for Grant after he was acquainted with the savage ruthlessness that now accompanies the dogfight for honours at the top of the English game.

Grant's sacking, announced at 1759 BST on Saturday, was no great surprise after messages from Chelsea's hierarchy since their defeat on penalties to Manchester United in Moscow gave him no cause to start planning for the future. No surprise - but still a startling example of what football has become at the sharp end.