LONDON (AFP) - Avram Grant has been sacked as manager of Chelsea after less than one season in charge, the English Premier League club announced on Saturday.
Grant's future was the focus of fierce speculation almost from the time he inherited the Stamford Bridge reins from Jose Mourinho eight months ago.
And just three days after his side came off second best in a penalty shoot-out to Manchester United in the Champions League final in Moscow the Israeli's tenure is now at an end.
Despite the constant questioning of his position Grant, a close friend of owner Roman Abramovich, has been credited with leading Chelsea to their first ever Champions League final.
He also oversaw their late push for the league title, taking United down to the final day of the season before they were forced to settle for second place.