Gus Hiddink or Avram Grant?

[bobthebandit]

It appears that the Media and Chelsea supporters have lauded Gus Hiddink as some sort of saviour for Chelsea when he took over from Phillip Scolari.
Whereas Avram Grant was perceived as a pariah and was not popular.
However Grant took Chelsea to the brink of winning the Eurpean Cup and the league title, whereas Hiddink has failed.
It seems unfair Avram Grant didnt get more recognition for his achievements in the short time he had as manager.

[Gromit]

They both inherited the most expensive squad on the planet and yet failed to achieve their goal.

Grant appeared to be implicated in Jose's removal so he cannot be the hero, and Hiddink stopped the rot (and got Chelsea playing better football again), but failed to win Premiership or CL.

The Chelsea manager I most feel sorry for was Claudio Ranieri, however I cannot be too sorrowful as all ex-Chelsea managers leave with a very hansom severance cheque.

[Kidd72]

'It seems unfair Avram Grant didn't get more recognition for his achievements in the short time he had as manager.'

I agree with that, not sure about the implications regarding Jose'?
However Grant was never the Cockney cheeky chappie that Drogba is, or Denis Wise was, so he had little chance really.

Hiddink knew he was on 'loan' so to speak, far less pressure on him so could afford to be more relaxed with the players etc...

So who's next for the chopping block? (Pay-Off) How about Jose' Mourinho.... just an idea

[campbellking]

Grant inherited a team that had recently won 2 league titlesand was still in title contention at the time he took over. He was unlucky not to win the Champions league final.
Hiddink took over a team that was falling apart on the pitch, and if you'd asked me at the group stage whether Chelsea would get anywhere near the Champions League final I would have laughed a lot.
Ranieri was actually responsible for the signing of Chelsea's most effective players, Jose brought sucess, but didn't really make many good signings.
I just wish we would spend the money we're spending on paying off managers on players!

[lesblue]

I will pick you up on one point, bob. Hiddink dropped five points in the league, and Chelsea lost the title by seven, so I don't really see how this can be regarded as failure. Apart from that, I have to agree with everything campbellking says, especially with a nice, shiny trophy to play for on Saturday.

[vauny]

I had loads of banter last season with les about Avram Grant - When he took over from Jose, he didn't change much, same tactics,substitutions, formation etc and came within a whisker of three trophies ! I think Chelsea fans do appreciate what he did, but feel a lot of it was down to Steve Clarke.
The team and tactics, under Scolari were becoming a shambles, we couldn't defend corners or freekicks ! Was this because Steve Clarke had moved to the hammers ?
The final straws were being beaten well at Anfield and we couldn't beat Hull at home,
Hiddink restored the organisation and tactics with some fine tuning and we ended the season with the same goals scored and conceded as Manchester United