You are in > manchester.com  > News > Ben Haim 'would prefer Mourinho to Grant' as Chelsea coach

General Sport

Ben Haim 'would prefer Mourinho to Grant' as Chelsea coach

16/04/2008

Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim has launched a stinging attack on his manager, claiming he knew "nothing good" would come from Avram Grant's appointment.

The Israeli international also said he would not have joined the Blues if he had known former manager Jose Mourinho was on the verge of leaving and that countryman Grant would take over.

Mourinho left Stamford Bridge in September after a dispute with the club's board - and particularly owner Roman Abramovich - came to a head.

It is rumoured that Grant, who came to Chelsea from Portsmouth last summer as director of football, is something of a puppet for the Russian oligarch.

And Ben Haim, who joined from Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer, said he would have chosen another team if he had known how things were going to pan out.

"Jose Mourinho is the reason I came to Chelsea and if I knew Avram Grant was going to be the coach then I would have signed for another club," the centre-back told the Sun newspaper.

Despite ties through his nationality with Grant, Ben Haim has been used largely as a substitute this season and finds himself behind John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Alex in the centre-back pecking order.

"It was Jose who brought me here and no one except he and I know the conversation we had when he tried to sign me the first time a year ago last January," Ben Haim continued.

"The fact is while Jose was the coach I played most of the games and people who know me know that I would not have come here to be a reserve.

"I knew that nothing good would come with Grant as Chelsea coach."

Ben Haim's outburst comes just 36 hours after the Blues virtually handed the Premier League title to Manchester United by conceding a last-minute equaliser during their 1-1 home draw against Wigan Athletic on Monday night.

Emile Heskey converted Jason Koumas' cross in injury time to snatch two points away from the home side, and gift a five-point advantage to United with just four games left as they pursue a second successive domestic crown.