Man Utd Opposed To Grant Operating Without A Licence

Chelsea's current woes look like continuing with the BBC reporting that it understands Premier League rivals Manchester United will oppose Avram Grant being given special dispensation to manage Chelsea without a Uefa pro licence.

According to BBC Sport, Premier League champions Manchester United are set to oppose allowing Avram Grant to manage Chelsea withoiut the necessary coaching qualifications.

The former Israel national team boss, appointed by Chelsea last week as manager in succession to Jose Mourinho, does not have the required Uefa pro licence.

He has a 12-week period of grace in which to acquire the vital qualification, which normally takes a year's study to obtain.

But if he does not qualify within that period, Chelsea will have to appeal to the Premier League for special dispensation - or replace Grant.

Manchester United opposed the dispensation granted to both Glenn Roeder at Newcastle United and Gareth Southgate at Middlesbrough, and will maintain that stance in the case of Grant.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is understood to be a strong supporter of the qualifications, and of making them the entry criteria to manage in the Premier League.

Uefa and Premier League rules require anyone wishing to manage in the top flight to hold the Uefa pro licence, which requires 240 hours of study and usually takes a year to gain.

A Premier League spokesman confirmed: "We have written to Chelsea to remind them of these requirements regarding these qualifications."

Roeder was granted an extension on health grounds, while Southgate was deemed to have had restricted opportunities to gain a licence because of his international career with England.

Middlesbrough boss Southgate said of Grant's situation: "Most of the older coaches were given special dispensation when the rules were first introduced.

"I'm sure Avram has nothing to worry about because he has the backing of his chairman Roman Abramovich."

Meanwhile, Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill was also granted an exemption after undertaking a five-day refresher course.

Grant, who won league titles with two different clubs when coaching in Israel, has not held a club manager's position for five years but was in charge of the Israeli national side during their qualifying campaigns for Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup finals.

(Courtesy: goal.com)