Grant - I'm not Abramovich's puppet

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — Avram Grant insists he is not Roman Abramovich's stooge and did not play a role in Jose Mourinho's dramatic departure from Chelsea.

Grant is convinced Abramovich will allow him to manage the London club without interference, even though Mourinho's exit was prompted by the Chelsea owner's overbearing influence.

The Israeli is a close friend of Abramovich and his arrival at Stamford Bridge in the close-season as director of football was perceived as the Russian's unsubtle bid to have more say in the team.

Abramovich had been at loggerheads with Mourinho since January but Grant says his own relationship with the billionaire was not the reason why he was given the job.

Grant, a former coach of the Israel national team, is adamant he did...