Blues confirm Grant axe

Chelsea have terminated the contract of manager Avram Grant after just eight months in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The Israeli tactician was installed as coach last September following the departure of Jose Mourinho when owner Roman Abramovich made the surprise decision to promote him from the director of football role he was occupying at the time.

Grant got Chelsea to February's Carling Cup final, where they lost 2-1 to Tottenham after extra-time, before he helped guide the side to a late-season rally in which they eventually settled for the Premier League runners up spot behind Manchester United after taking the title race to the final day of the campaign.

Grant also masterminded Chelsea's run to their first-ever Champions League final, but a penalty shoot-out defeat against Manchester United in Moscow on Wednesday looks to have now cost him his job at the club.

Chelsea have released a statement to confirm Grant's departure was decided following meetings over the past two days and they thanked him for his contribution this season.

They are now working to identify Grant's successor with Frank Rijkaard, who has quit as Barcelona coach, current Russia coach Guus Hiddink and outgoing Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini the early frontrunners to take over the Blues' hot seat.