Grant "proud" after Chelsea's final heartbreak
Manager Avram Grant proud of Chelsea players despite final defeat
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Thursday, 22, May 2008 04:28
Chelsea manager Avram Grant has spoken of his pride for his players after they lost the Champions League final to Manchester United on penalties.
The Israeli watched on as his Blues team, which dominated the second half of normal time and had chances to win the match in extra time, lost the shootout thanks to misses from captain John Terry and January signing Nicolas Anelka.
But rather than be downbeat about the defeat, Grant said he had nothing but admiration for the team and lamented their missed chances, which saw them strike the woodwork twice.
"What can I say? We dominated the game, we hit the post two times and then we lost on penalties," he told Sky Sports.
Grant also backed Terry to recover from the disappointment of missing from 12 yards when he had the chance to win the trophy for the west Londoners.
Terry appeared to slip as he struck the ball, and was inconsolable on the pitch at the end, but Grant refused to pin any of the blame on his skipper.
"JT is the main reason we are here," the manager continued.
"We had a difficult time and he is part of the team. The team played excellently and I am very proud.
"He was great all season, he was great in the semi-final and this game. He is the reason they didn't create any chances - I feel sorry for him and the team."
Following the defeat, Grant's future is now riddled with uncertainty.
The majority of pundits are predicting he will leave the club this summer or move back upstairs to his former position as director of football, with another coach - possibly former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard or Russia manager Guus Hiddink - set to take over.