The football world was shocked when the news broke of Jose Mourinho’s departure from Chelsea just five weeks into the 2007-08 season. After a disappointing home draw with Rosenborg in the Champions League and a poor start to their Premier League campaign, owner Roman Abramovich brought an end to the three-year trophy-laden tenure of the charismatic Portuguese manager.

It would be a hard act to follow for any manager but when Abramovich installed his friend and confident Avram Grant as the new boss, many an eyebrow was raised. A virtual unknown in this country he had, however, won league titles in his native Israel and gone on to manage the national side. But understandably emotions were running high after Mourinho’s surprise exit and Grant’s motivational skills would be put to the ultimate test.

His first fixture in charge could not have been tougher, taking on Manchester United at Old Trafford and suffering a 2-0 defeat.

''I think Avram deserves respect and rightly so. I would have thought it’s enough to keep him in a job, as things have been very good and results don’t lie'' - John Terry


It did not get any easier in the domestic cup competitions with Grant receiving much criticism from the fans and media alike. His team selection and use of substitutions during the Carling Cup final defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur and the shock FA Cup loss away at Championship side Barnsley brought the spotlight firmly back onto him.

But despite losing key players to the African Nations Cup and injuries at various stages of the season Chelsea would lose only one more league game, away at Arsenal, pushing United all the way until the last day of the season.

Even if Grant had not won over all of the Chelsea fans, he appeared to have gained the respect of the players. After defeating Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final, captain John Terry was quoted in The Times as saying: “I think Avram deserves respect and rightly so. I would have thought it’s enough to keep him in a job, as things have been very good and results don’t lie.

''You look at the Premier League table since the manager’s taken over and he’s been very good. To get to where we are and still question the manager’s role is unbelievable really. Everybody had a big part to play, none more so than the manager. It’s incredible. But it’s not just the manager, it’s the players and the coaching staff.”

If Chelsea rode their luck in the quarter and semi-finals of the Champions League with an own goal in both the away fixtures, it ran out in spectacular fashion in the final. So, as it turned out, did Grant's time as Chelsea manager...

The Israeli may not have won any silverware for Chelsea but he has won plenty of respect. But there is no room for sentiment at the highest level of football and Abramovich did not get where he is without being ruthless. Just ask Mourinho.