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Grant criticism "unbelievable", Terry claims

02/05/2008

Chelsea captain John Terry has slammed the press for continuing to question the position of first-team manager Avram Grant.

The Israeli's job remains under threat, if media reports are to be believed, despite guiding the Blues to a first-ever Champions League final after the midweek victory over Barcelona.

In doing so, Grant has already ventured further in the competition with the Stamford Bridge outfit than his ever-popular predecessor Jose Mourinho.

And Terry has backed the coach to continue proving his doubters wrong.

"To get to where we are and still question his role is unbelievable," the former England skipper said.

"It's the first time we've got to the final. No [Chelsea] manager or set of players has ever done that. Results don't lie."

Since moving from his role as director of football to replace Mourinho in September Grant has guided the team to within goal difference of league leaders Manchester United, as well as a European final.

Terry said the team's form, especially in the second half of the season, has been "very good".

And despite singling out the impact Grant has made, Terry said praise must go to everyone involved in the efforts of the team over the last few months.

"It's not just the manager, it is the players, and [first-team coaches] Henk ten Cate and Steve Clarke, who have a big role to play behind the scenes," the defender continued.

"They keep the players motivated. We have got such a big squad of players and they manage to keep those not playing motivated and that is a credit to them."