As fans approach Wembley on Sunday for the Carling Cup Final, they will notice two 75-foot banners gazing down at them featuring the two managers, Avram Grant and Juande Ramos.

Charles Sale in the Daily Mail quipped: "When Carling came up with the idea of dressing their Final venue with blown-up images of the finalists' managers, it's unlikely that they had super-sullen [Avram] Grant in mind.”

Carling are not the only ones to be surprised at the turn of managerial events at Stamford Bridge and White Hart Lane this season. If told at the beginning of the season that Chelsea and Spurs would meet in the first showpiece final of the English season, most would have guessed that the two teams would have been led out by Jose Mourinho and Martin Jol, both of whom would be continuing their impressive reigns at the two London clubs.

''When Carling came up with the idea of dressing their Final venue with blown-up images of the finalists' managers, it's unlikely that they had super-sullen Grant in mind''


Spurs fans will be hoping that the tactical nous of Ramos can overcome the perceived naivety of Chelsea’s manager.

Juan de la Cruz Ramos Cano, to give him his full name, is currently regarded as one of the best managers in the game, a position that is backed up by his last spell at Sevilla and his early days at Spurs. The Spaniard has had to work his way up from the bottom of the managerial ladder and his experiences in the lower leagues in Spain appears to have left him in good stead.

Two Segunda Division titles won with Logrones and Rayo Vallacano suggested Ramos had what it takes. He confirmed this at Sevilla, winning five trophies in two seasons and already in the short time at Spurs he has shown what a great motivator and tactician he can be.

By taking Sevilla into the Champions League and challenging Real Madrid and Barcelona for the Spanish title, if Ramos can bring silverware to Spurs he could be talked about as one of the all-time great managers.

Avram Grant’s career is a little less illustrious. The Israeli has won four league titles in his homeland and numerous cups, but the Ligat ha’Al is hardly La Liga. His spell in charge of the Israeli national team was defined by a defensive style of play which, although it brought great credit to the small country, did not end in qualification for the 2006 World Cup.

The Israeli's record in England is decent without setting the world alight. It is difficult to judge how well he did at Portsmouth in the role of Technical Director and the fact that he got the Chelsea job because he is a close friend of Roman Abramovich and football fixer Pini Zahavi does little to engender confidence in him.

He has done relatively well at Stamford Bridge so far but his teams appear to lack the ability or mindset to beat the very best, which they did frequently under Jose Mourinho.

Of late, the Blues have also stuttered with three draws in the last four games and the media focus on Grant's dropping of Frank Lampard and John Terry for the Olympiakos game in the Champions League will not help preparations.

Perhaps the role of the gaffers is overplayed somewhat in modern football. The individual battles all over the pitch on Sunday will determine who lifts up the silver trophy. Whether Jonathan Woodgate can handle Didier Drogba, the battle between the two powerhouse African midfielders Didier Zokora and Michael Essien and whether the Chelsea defence can cope with Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov could all shape the Wembley showpiece.

Ultimately, this game will have a huge bearing on the success of both managers in English football. It will be a day of great pride for both as Grant and Ramos will become the first managers from their respective countries to lead teams out at Wembley.

If it does come down to a managerial masterstroke the smart money must be placed on Ramos. But this could be the day when Grant turns opinion round and receives the full respect of the Chelsea faithful.