I want to win trophies and entertain, says new Chelsea boss Grant

"We don't believe it's a backward step, we believe it's a step forward," Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck told a packed news conference at Stamford Bridge. "We believe that we are going forward. We have a lot of optimism."

Grant was offered the job soon after Mourinho left the club by "mutual consent" on Wednesday night - a decision that stunned the club's fans.

Mourinho, the club's most successful manager, won two Premier League titles in his three years in charge, but not the Champions League title desired by Chelsea's owner Roman Abramovich. Mourinho's departure came after his tense relations with Abramovich and club management broke down completely.

The club said the players supported the new coach, despite media reports that several stars were thinking of leaving.

Grant sat largely stoney-faced during the 45-minute news conference, occasionally breaking into a smile. He said he believed he would be successful and would win over fans by playing a more attractive style of soccer.

"I fully respect what Jose did in the past," Grant said. "I try to do what I need to do. Everything has come by surprise. Football is also entertainment. We need to win games, try for all the trophies. The way to the winning is also important.

"I don't say it was not done in the past, but I think only about the future. I'm sure that we can do it."

When asked if he was a "Special One" like Mourinho, he replied: "I am a normal person."

The club said Grant is in for the long haul at Chelsea, but that no contract has been signed. Grant, a former Israel coach, has never coached a club outside of Israel and has only been involved in coaching six Champions League games.

Buck agreed Mourinho's track record was superior to Grant's.

"However, it's very important in a relationship between a board and a manager and a manager and an owner, that there's mutual confidence, agreement on strategy, vision and approach," Buck said. "We've spent a lot of time with Avram and we believe that our vision, our ambition is accord with him."

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said there was no single catalyst to Mourinho's departure and that the Portuguese coach had not lost the confidence of the players. But Kenyon said the last nine months had been difficult at the club.

"We reached the point over the last few days that it was right for the club, and for him, to mutually agree to part company," he said.