Will Chelsea manager step aside for Rijkaard even if they beat Manchester United?

You can hardly blame Avram Grant for wanting to be out of the limelight at the end of the season. Since taking over, he’s been subject to a barrage of criticism, along with endless speculation over his future as Chelsea manager.

The tide has turned in recent weeks after the Israeli guided the Blues to the brink of a third Premier League title and a Champions League final spot in Moscow. However, The Sun report that Grant could end up stepping down whatever happens between now and the end of the season. They have collared a supposed ‘good friend’ in Portsmouth reserve player Richard Hughes to spill the proverbial beans.

He insisted: “This (Rijkaard steeping in) will take place with Avram’s blessing. He is a modest guy who does not particularly like being in the limelight.

“He’d be happy to revert to the role where he acts as a link between the coaching staff and the board.

“Avram is a student of football. I had countless conversations with him when he was here about Barca, their players and the way they play.

“It is well known Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is an admirer of Barcelona and the football they play.

“He seems to be on a crusade to bring a similar brand of play to Stamford Bridge.

“A big reason for Jose Mourinho leaving was that Abramovich wanted to see a type of football the Special One was not delivering.”

Perhaps Grant was merely a self-knowing stop-gap at Stamford Bridge, knowing full well that Abramovich wanted rid of Mourinho as quickly as possible, but perhaps could not get hold of the Barcelona coach until the end of the season. Or perhaps the above is a load of tosh from a footballer with a big mouth?

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