Grant's chance to spill the beans on exit as Roman begins search for successor

He will probably maintain a dignified silence. As he has done since he was sacked as manager on Saturday. But the coaches he will address as part of his UEFA Pro Licence course could be treated to a fascinating insight into more recent events at Stamford Bridge.

Grant might tell them why he rejected Roman Abramovich's offer to become Chelsea's director of football. He might even tell them who, inside the club, turned against him the moment he succeeded Jose Mourinho last September and tried to damage his relationship with the club's billionaire owner.

Choices, choices: Roman Abramovich will now have to get his thinking cap on as Chelsea attempt to identify Avram Grant's replacement

The friendship he enjoyed with Abramovich, and one day hopes he can enjoy again, was a key reason why he was invited to take charge of the team when Mourinho suddenly parted company with Chelsea. But there were certain people at Stamford Bridge, senior people Grant believes, who were jealous of that relationship.

Abramovich actually told him as much. Told him that attempts had been made to 'poison' his view of the Israeli. It made Grant feel increasingly unsettled, so much so that even prior to being dismissed he was not sure he wanted to continue as manager.

The club's owner did, however, want him to stay. Not as manager, obviously. In Abramovich's view his friend had failed. But in recognition of what he had achieved in eight extraordinary months - in going so close to denying Manchester United both the Barclays Premier League title as well as the European Cup - he very much wanted him to remain on the staff.

The offer was made at Abramovich's London home on Saturday. But much to the surprise of both the Russian oligarch and his Chelsea directors, Grant said no. He actually felt insulted. Not because it was a demotion. Not even because it would have amounted to a fairly significant pay cut. But because he had been reading in the newspapers for two or three months that it was Chelsea's intention to make him such an offer.

That even before that thrilling climax to the Premier League season, before that victory against Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Champions League and the remarkable night in Moscow that followed, someone inside Stamford Bridge had let it be known that he would not be continuing as manager.

Grant had seen the stories, on these pages as well as in other newspapers, but always dismissed them as nothing more than speculation. But there he was, three days after coming within a penalty kick of delivering the European Cup to Abramovich, he was hearing it for himself.

A mixture of anger and pride took over. Very much a case of telling them, in no uncertain terms, what they could do with their offer. It has left a bitter taste in his mouth, and right now he is not sure his friendship with Abramovich will recover.

He appreciated the fact that Abramovich flew into London on Friday night so that he could meet him personally on Saturday. Just as he appreciates the opportunity he was given in the first place. The experience has not exactly damaged his reputation. More enhanced it and raised his profile enormously. But, in Grant's opinion, managing Chelsea became an impossible job and not simply because of the demands Abramovich makes on any manager.

Not because of his 'first is first, second is nowhere' attitude. But because of the politics of a very complicated football club. The politics that Mourinho also struggled to embrace.  

The next manager will have to be as expert a politician as he is a manager. Someone who can juggle the demands of a club that wants to dominate European football while keeping the different members of the Stamford Bridge hierarchy on side.

Chelsea know what they want but, right now, are not entirely sure who they want. But they want someone who meets the criteria they have now set out. While talent is obviously essential, top level experience is not necessarily a necessity. But they want someone with the charisma that Grant's critics accused him of lacking, just as they want someone who is strong with the players. And they also want someone who would be comfortable having an open dialogue with Abramovich.

Chelsea would insist that Abramovich has no desire to pick the team. No desire to identify the players they hope to bring in this summer. But, having invested so much money in the club, he wants to be involved and indulged. And he wants a manager who is prepared to indulge him in that manner. Let him know what he is thinking. Share his thoughts. It leaves them open to ideas.

Guus Hiddink would appear the obvious choice now that his future with the Russian national team is by no means certain. His credentials are excellent, he has charisma, he knows Abramovich from his time with the Russians and he is a strong leader. Strong enough, let us not forget, to send Edgar Davids home from Euro '96.

Roy Keane has been mentioned as a possibility. He very much remains an outsider but the Irishman has that same strength of character as well as the charisma and the profile the club find attractive.

Mark Hughes is another obvious contender for similar reasons, but someone with more experience than Keane as well as a history with Chelsea.

Frank Rijkaard remains among the favourites but counting against him is the way he handled Ronaldinho last season. Chelsea have heard how Rijkaard allowed the Brazilian to regularly miss training at Barcelona and that concerns them. That said, he did produce the kind of football at Barca that Abramovich craves.

The way Sven Goran Eriksson indulged England's senior players could be held against him, while Roberto Mancini is also regarded as a less dominant figure. A manager like Luiz Felipe Scolari could be of more interest them. As could Marcello Lippi. Ditto Rafa Benitez.  

Whether Chelsea would interest them, however, remains to be seen. Grant's lecture notes might just put them off.