Mourinho calls Grant a loser after trophy-less season
Sunday, 25 May 2008 21:02
Mourinho says Grant did not have a successful season with Chelsea
Former
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has dubbed his fired successor Avram Grant "a loser" after the Israeli claimed the season had been a success.
Grant claimed that finishing second in three of the four competitions Chelsea had entered this season was a signal they had played to a consistently high level.
Chelsea finished second to
Manchester United in the league on the final day of the season, lost the Carling Cup final to
Tottenham Hotspur in extra-time and the Champions League final to Manchester United on penalties.
Mourinho admitted Chelsea had lacked a little bit of luck but insisted you must create your own luck.
He disagreed with Grant's assessment, claiming that to his mind first is everything and second is nowhere.
"In my philosophy it was a very bad one because in football 'almost' means defeat and Chelsea almost won the Carling Cup, almost won the Champions League and almost won the Premier League. Almost is nothing," exclaimed Mourinho in the Observer.
"After two titles per season for the last three years there were zero titles this season, which in my philosophy means a really bad season. Maybe in the philosophy of a loser this was a great season, which I respect."
Mourinho said he felt "very sad" after the club's defeat in Moscow, especially for the fans, who he said deserved more, and for the staff and players who he still calls "my boys".
However, the Portuguese manager feels that more success is just around the corner for the Blues. He said: "I believe that after an empty season new success will come to Chelsea."
Mourinho could be competing against Chelsea next season if he returns to management on the continent as is expected.
The former Porto boss has been tipped to take over at Italian champions Inter Milan, while their coach Roberto Mancini is among the favourites to replace Grant at Stamford Bridge.