Is it a clean break for Chelsea manager Avram Grant?

While the final decision rests with owner Roman Abramovich, senior Stamford Bridge officials are now convinced the Israeli will not be in charge at the start of next season.

On his way: Avram Grant set to leave Chelsea

Avram Grant's future will be decided in the next few days, with his dismissal as Chelsea manager still the most likely outcome.

While the final decision rests with owner Roman Abramovich, senior Stamford Bridge officials are now convinced the Israeli will not be in charge at the start of next season.

If Grant is sacked, the chances of his coaching staff remaining employed at the club are also looking increasingly slim. Henk ten Cate would probably be asked to leave, as would the long-serving Steve Clarke.

Grant could be offered an opportunity to return to his former role as director of football.

Some would say it is the least he deserves after stepping in to succeed Jose Mourinho last September and guiding the side to the Champions League Final, the Carling Cup Final and second place in the Barclays Premier League.

But sources at Chelsea yesterday suggested even that now appears unlikely - the feeling being that Abramovich will instead agree there is no room for Grant in a hierarchy that already has to accommodate Frank Arnesen in his development role.

Right now, however, there is a desire at least to end the speculation and clarify Grant's position.

"I think it's the least that needs to happen," said one insider. "Avram deserves that for what he has done for the club."

Clearly, it is a decision that Abramovich is struggling to reach rapidly. Grant is a personal friend and someone he turned to when the club parted company with Mourinho.

The Russian genuinely believed Grant could be a success, delivering the entertaining football he craved as well as the silverware. After a decent start that saw Chelsea climb the League table, Abramovich gave the Israeli a four-year contract.

But Grant clearly has his critics inside Stamford Bridge, with the accusation being made that he has not quite succeeded on any level. Not only that, they believe he has lacked the charisma of Mourinho.

Grant has commanded respect, though, in the way he has conducted himself during a difficult nine months.

He has always acted with dignity, even at a time when public support from his employers has been lacking.