Avram Grant inspired by words of Churchill and world leaders
Published 00:00 21/05/08 By By Martin Lipton Chief Football Writer
It Is a short list, just one name.
Jupp Heynckes. The only man to be rewarded for winning the Champions League by being sacked, by Real Madrid in 1998.
But if Avram Grant fears he is set to follow in the German's footsteps after tonight, you would not have known it.
As Grant revealed the historical and sporting leaders from whom he draws inspiration, the Israeli's determination to write himself into the pages of footballing glory was made abundantly clear.
At his office in Cobham are three pictures of the figures he everes. At his home in London, threemore. All carry a message of hope, of self-reliance. All give an insight into Grant the man.
"I like to learn from leaders," he explained, more relaxed than usual as he sat in the same Luzhniki Stadium seat occupied by Sir Alex Ferguson an hour earlier.
"So at home I have pictures of Gandhi, Winston Churchill - a great leader - and Michael Jordan. In my office, Martin Luther King, telling the world he had a dream, Muhammad Ali and Anwar Sadat.
"They were great people because they went all the way, to the very end, to win everything. But if you don't enjoy the process, though, you're not a happy man. You have to want to do that."
Inaway, Grant appears to be enjoying that process, revelling in the spotlight and the questions about his future.
Where Fergie, playing to the gallery, had offered peace and love, Grant topped it.
"All the people here know I love them," he added. "Second, I know they care about me, because they're always asking me if I'll be staying or not. The love isn't just from one side.
"Look, we're here now, 11 days after the end of the league.
If it's a normal season for Chelsea, we'd be on vacation now. I'd be in Israel. I don't know where you would all be.
"We're here because we came to the most important game for teams all over the world, the final of the Champions League.
But I'm not the most important man here. You need to respect everyone in Chelsea, from the owner who built the team, the backroom staff, the players, and ask questions about the final, not about me."
If only the respect was a twowaystreet. Ever since replacing Jose Mourinho, Grant has experienced precious little of that, either from the Chelsea supporters or the hierarchy.
Yet, as he pointed out in a subtle dig at Mourinho and Fergie, it is he who stands on the threshold of bringing unprecedented glory to Stamford Bridge.
Grant added: "I really respect Alex as a person and a manager. He did great things. But you know it's only the second time for him in the final of the Champions League. I'm in my first one in my first year as manager at this club."
'I like to learn from leaders. They were great people because they went all the way
