CHELSEA HAVE REJECTED out of hand reports that club owner Roman Abramovich was considering re-hiring Avram Grant as adviser to interim manager Rafael Benitez.
Reports surfaced in the British press that Grant, the Israeli who has close links with Abramovich and who was in charge when Chelsea reached the 2008 Champions League final, could return to Stamford Bridge to help Benitez.
But a Chelsea spokesman told Press Association: “There is no truth in the reports.”
Benitez has set some unwanted new firsts since replacing Roberto Di Matteo and being handed the mantle of turning around the Champions League winners’ flagging fortunes.
The Spaniard is the first Chelsea boss not to win one of his first three games in charge under Abramovich, the first not to witness a goal in his first two and the first to lose to east London club West Ham.
After Saturday’s shock 3-1 loss to the Hammers, Benitez conceded that the task of reviving Chelsea could turn out to be a bigger challenge than he had envisaged.
After little more than a week in charge, Benitez has overseen two scoreless draws and an unexpected reverse that has left the club’s Premier League title ambitions severely dented.
That run has done nothing to get onside those supporters disgruntled by the dismissal of Di Matteo and opposed to the appointment of Benitez, and the reaction of the visiting fans at Upton Park confirmed the strength of feeling against him.
Benitez’s focus now shifts towards Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Danish side Nordsjaelland, a game Chelsea must win if they are to have any remaining chance of progressing to the knock-out stages of a competition they won last season.
Asked if he considered the job more challenging than he expected when he accepted the offer to replace Di Matteo until the end of the season, he said: “Could be. It’s a top side in the middle of the season, and things aren’t the best.
“We’ll try to improve things, but it will take some time.”
He added: “My concern is improving the team. If we do that, and start winning games, we’ll be able to turn things around. The main thing for me is to improve the team. I’m not thinking about anything else.”
Shane Lowry is a breath of fresh air when it comes to professional sport. Nothing scripted, always honest.
It would be great to see him win the Claret jug.
He has a good chance mick of lifting it! Might do a cheeky bet on him
Lowry is always worth a cheeky fiver e/w
Well said shane! Most of us go for a kickaround on the astro once a week, why shouldnt rory! Nike might give him a boot deal when they’re at it!
Had the pleasure to be in Shanes company for dinner once ..hes a true gent and always talks sense ..Unlucky Rory
Sure he could have done that if he slipped in the bath. He can’t wrap him self in cotton wool.
Lowry himself had a freak injury about 4 years ago. Rumour has it that he fell down the stairs in Coppers! Not sure if true or not. Obviously not quite on the same level but these guys can’t be wrapped in cotton wool. They need to have some semblance of normality in their lives.
Still though it’s crazy timing. The Open at St. Andrews in THE major that everyone wants.
Shane likes a night out. Met him once out in Dublin on a night out. Sound fella.
Accidents happen no matter what, he’s only trying to enjoy himself with his mates. Lowry is talking a lot of sense, as per usual.
I have spoke to same who said what was he thinking the week before the open? what’s your view?
I know the Open is a major, but he is nearly always a week away from some tournament. Why not have a kick around? Sure you can injure yourself walking down the stairs.
that was my view but others seem to think what was he at
Buffon or Toldo. Can’t remember which Italian keeper it was…. but he knocked a shaving gel can on his foot and broke a bone a month before a world cup. sh#t happens.
it was Canizarès the ex Valencia/Spanish Goalie,
Apparently he wasn’t even bring tackled when it happened. It’s just hard luck. He can’t be expected to beat balls all day.