Grant dismisses Chelsea link

Avram Grant has ruled out the possibility of returning to Chelsea to work with newly-appointed interim manager Rafael Benitez.

Grant, who guided the club to the Champions League final as a caretaker manager in 2008, has been linked with a return to the Stamford Bridge dugout in recent weeks after Benitez’s less-than-auspicious start at the club, although the club have denied the reports.

Grant himself has now dispelled the notion he could be set to take the reins at the European champions, adding that the club ought to get behind Benitez as they seek to challenge for honours this season.

He told the BBC: “Nobody from Chelsea has offered me this job. I heard a rumour but I think this is not what’s important.

“What’s important is Chelsea have a manager and the club need to support him and not look for any other things.

“I don’t think it’s the right idea for the moment. I don’t like to speak about myself now because I have other things to do at this stage.

“I think Benitez is a very experienced coach and manager and I don’t think a few weeks after they give him the job he will leave and I don’t think it will be right.

“He needs to use all experience to take the club in a different direction and they need to do everything to support him and not to look around.”