Grant prays for Man. U fumble in last round for Chelsea to collect crown
By Neal Silver
Avram Grant promised to get drunk if his club, Chelsea, manages to pry away the Premier League title from Manchester United today. The Israeli coach, who is regarded by the British media as a bit of a sourpuss, hopes to shed that image if Chelsea finishes above its Northern rivals, with whom they share the same number of points but trail in goals aggregate.
At the moment, Manchester United is the favorite to take the Premier League title and win the Champions League. If Grant fails to win either he is unlikely to continue at Chelsea.
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"I'm not a drinker, but I think if Chelsea wins the championship I will drink," Grant said ahead of the crucial match against Bolton at Stamford Bridge today.
Will he dance on a table?
"The first time I won a title in Israel I danced on a table, but that was before I got married. Since then I've become more moderate and rational. But who knows? When you win a title everything is spontaneous: Some like to dance, some like to jump and others sing. It's always emotional when you win a title. In any case, it's not good to make plans ahead, but I'm pretty sure I'll drink."
Grant, who was voted Premier League manager of the month over the weekend, is showing confidence as the season ends. He is uncomfortable with claims that he is not liked by Chelsea supporters and insists he is on good terms with most of the Blues' fans.
"One of the main reasons I'm here are the supporters," Grant said. "They mean more to me than you can imagine. You don't know how many e-mails and phone calls I've rec eived since we made it to the Champions League finals. I even got an e-mail from a 60-year-old man called Avram Grant who is a Chelsea supporter, and I hope he'll come to the match against Bolton."
But any popularity Grant enjoys in the stands will not determine whether he stays on. His future at the club is often discussed, but the coach continues to make sphinx-like comments on the matter.
"I'm pleased. I have a four-year contract as manager at the club and I am preparing it for next year," he said.
Whatever happens, many journalists admit that Grant's tenure at Chelsea was a kind of adventure for them and that without the Israeli coach next season, Stamford Bridge will be a much less interesting place.
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