Filho.. Ever consider a career in politics? I'm truly impressed by the way you extract the minor exceptions to make your point. Lemme respond to you piece by piece..
who's taking away anything from Mourinho? you seem to think people are saying Grant is better than Mourinho as a coach. That's a dumb concept imo, since the success of a coach depends on many factors, some of which are beyond the coach's control.
Surely a dumb concept but its being peddled about in full vigor today. Especially the chelsea haters, they're saying that it proves the special one really isn't so special after all. Theyre saying that Grant did what Jose didn't do etc. I wasn't referring on here so much with the opinion as much as a prevailing view point i'm seeing a bit here and alot elsewhere.
- How come there is not one word of praise, credit or acknowledgement of his influence in Chelsea's success from any of the players?
-as for your first question. Not true. The players have come to Grant's defense, but the press doesn't like him. Much more fun to focus on the negative. Plus, the answer to that may actually say nothing about his coaching ability and maybe more about his popularity with the players who may be loyal to Mourinho or simply prefer the Portugues coach's style. Also, don't hold players in such high regard. Some of them are primadonna clowns. Read books by Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard and you will know what I mean about style over substance
There is a big difference between coming to his defence and praising his input i.e. "Lay off Avram Grant" and "Avram Grant is doing a great job". Furthermore look at who's talking about Grant. The only people who i've seen say anything of the sort is John Terry and as club captain and alleged turncoat to Mourinho I wouldn't really expect him to say much more. Then Ballack now and then who probably just glad his sweat booked under the new regime. I cant read one interview today where the players are giving the manager praise for reaching the CL final which is shocking to say the least. Don't be surprised if people like Drogba, Malouda, Essien, Makalele and Carvalho run for the exit door in the summer.
With regards to credit to the players, I'm lauding their ability to focus in the midst of everything and get on with the job; not lauding their substance or humanitarian qualities. Most footballers are clowns anyway.
- Do you think if Avram Grant was fired, he would be offered a job at any other big club in Europe?
-second question. again..who is saying he's better than Mourinho assuming we caan even make such blanket statements. Plus. big clubs in Europe want high profile glamorous names. An unproven coach like Rijkaard was always more likely to get the Barca job than a tried and true 'nobody' with better coach credentials. Marco Van Basten, Dunga, Klinsmann, Koeman etc etc. Image is a big part of the equation for big clubs and national teams and Mourinho trumps Grant in that regard. Mourinho could win nothing for 5 years, Grant could win everything and the big clubs will likely still want Mourinho.
Not true if we examine the exact same circumstances that Mourinho arrived at Chelsea under. If you rewind to when Ranieri was sacked, the 'high profile' names you speak about were being thrown about as a likely successor. Sven, Hiddink, Capello, Lippi et al.. Despite Mourinho's success, his appointment was viewed with a great amount of skepticism by the supporters and he was somewhat of a surprise choice. Its not always about profile - Del Bosque at Real Madrid followed by the youth team coaches then Bernd Schuster. Ancelotti had no big profile when he took over AC Milan. Quique Sanchez at Valencia, Magath at Bayern Munich and many more examples.
- Do you think Avram Grant could win the UEFA Cup and Champions League with FC Porto?
-third question. who knows. Porto winning the UEFA cup excellent but not extraordinary. you eh supposed to be surprised if the team that dominates Portoguese football wins the UEFA CUP. But them winning the CL was absolutely amazing. Of course they did play Monaco in the final, so it was a weird year for the CL. Could Mourinho repeat such a feat is just as important a question. I'd GUESS (note the choice of words)..not. Outside of manU, I don't thin Porto really met a team that was supposed to beat them. But reall...who knows what the answer to this question is. I mean he never made it back to the final with a substantially stronger squad...makes his CL glory with POrto seem a little flukish[/b]
Lol.. I had to check up on this, but for your info on the way to the final, they beat Real Madrid, Manchester United, a very good Lyon team and a very good Deportivo La Coruna team. Taking Chelsea to the semi finals should also not be viewed as some kind of failure to repeat the success he had with Porto. To be fair, one could argue that luck had a big part to play in losing out to Liverpool for 2 years as well as the excellence of Benitez in the CL.
Lewwe doh play like Chelsea had no big superstars in the first title winning season. He brought in a big squad, but you cant say anybody at that point couldve been considered superstars. Drogba was an unknown commodity and came to England a purger. Joe Cole was trying to find heself and Mourinho turned him into a left winger. Lampard wasnt what he was today. Terry wasn't as dominating as yet until that defence was built.
Lets not forget that Mourinho brought something new and revolutionary to the game. Besides bringing the acknowledged best pre-match scouting of opponents in the business at the time, he brought a different system and style of play that many teams, even Manchester United, tried to copy (SAF abandon he 4-4-2 and put Van Nistelrooy up front) to try to beat them. That (imitation) to me is the hallmark of a genius.
- Does it seem to you like Avram Grant is in total control of his players?
-last question is a regurgitation of the first. besides..plenty players spoke out against Mourinho while at Chelsea. Joe Cole, Carvalho, Drogba. Isn't the big rumor that terry sabotage Mourinho and played a big part in 'forcing' him out..Doesn't sound like he had control of all his squad at all. Things weren't always cool behind closed doors, but if your club as good PR and the press likes you, they can feed you any image they want. Grant does not have the luxury of the latter and you basing some of your opinion of what you're getting or not getting form the press. Not really a rock solid way to form opnions
The players who spoke out against Mourinho were dealt with forthwith. Joe Cole was screwing in the earlies but mourinho made it clear he wasn't contributing enough defensively. One game Joe Cole score a beauty (think against man utd) and Mourinho waste him down in de press conference for being an inconsistent moment of brilliance player. One game he get a 20 min first half cobo. And look at the player he became at the end of it (he himself admitted).
Carvalho played the fool and got a very public simmer down. Drogba got put in his place too. Robben too. Kezman well we know what happen to he.
No player coulda show the petulance that we seeing in the last several games under the Mourinho regime and not be dealt with accordinghly. Ballack venting off on the field at getting subbed. So too Makalele. Players in the press publicly speaking out.. All is not well behind closed doors.
Anyway..all I saying is Grant did something right that Mourinho didn't do. For a guy who gets no respect, he has shown amazing composure, resilience and steered the ship to touching distance of some great achievements. What you fail to realize is that if a team like Chelsea played with no coaching staff, they'd be worse than Derby. the 11 greatest players in the world and no coach ain't gonna be any good as a team as any average tactician could pick them apart form the sidelines. And Grant dealing with massive egos most of whom apparently don't rate him according to you. if anything..that makes his achievement's even greater
Credit to Steve Clarke, Henk Ten Cate, the groundsman who beat up Evra and the god that Avram Grant is praying to.
