Manager says thing that probably isn’t true

In the weekly column written for him by a Sun journalist, Harry Redknapp never fails to say something contestable, and this week is no exception. While congratulating his former technical director Avram Grant for re-joining the Portsmouth management team, the Tottenham boss expressed both his confidence in his former employers and a charming naivety concerning the relegation betting market:

There is a new owner, a new man to help Paul and a win under their belts. They will not get relegated this season.

If I were a betting man I’d even put 25 pence each-way on that!

Is ‘Arry right to suggest Avram Grant et al can turn things around, or can they look forward to a couple of fixtures against Hull in the fizzy pop league next year? Let us know below. Or don’t. Whatever…

Chelsea forward bags himself an arty American model

Avram Grant has never struck The Spoiler as the gambling type, but the Israeli was snapped at a Mayfair casino last week. The former Chelsea boss was joined at the roulette wheel by his former subject Salomon Kalou, who was romancing his current ladyfriend, American fashion model Najah Wakil.

Also appearing on a computer near you…

We thought Sergio Ramos was a footballer, but apparently he’s in a boyband
[ONTD via Kickette]

Avram Grant backs Chelsea to win the Champions League
[Goal.com]

Porto’s Lucho turns up the heat on Manchester Utd
[Sky Sports]

Harry Redknapp will ‘pinch’ Amr ‘Mr Unprofessional’ Zaki for £5m
[The Mirror]

Dennis Wise was given a £1.5m kick out of the door
[Daily Mail]

Professor Wenger takes a swipe at his debt-ridden rivals
[Tribal Football]

Also appearing on a computer near you…

Avram Grant enjoys some face time with Kobe Bryant
[Dirty Tackle]

Yet more football violence in South America
[Unprofessional Foul]

Frank Lampard was “cleaning his balls” when Jose Mourinho told him he was the best player in the world
[Daily Mail]

Cristiano Ronaldo says it’s time to “kill or be killed”
[Sky Sports]

Stan Collymore thinks Liverpool should get rid of Benitez or Parry
[The Mirror]

Alex Ferguson says Real Madrid are “too slow”
[The Independent]

Why Chelsea will finish above Villa
[chickendinner]

Also appearing on a computer near you…

Wayne Rooney gets merked, Rio Ferdinand acts in a manner befitting a film producer, online publisher and Observer Sport Monthly editor
[101GG]

Avram Grant really wants the Portsmouth job
[The Daily Mail]

Another reason why Facebook and football don’t mix
[Unprofessional Foul]

The Special One promises to come back and rescue Chelsea one day
[Fox Sports]

The break up: Lampsie and his WAG Elen Rives have called it a day
[Kickette]

Rafa Benitez is kicking up more contract fuss at Liverpool
[The Guardian]

Gianfranco Zola wants West ham fans to leave Boa Morte alone
[The Metro]

Chelsea exec looks silly two months after lobbying for continuity

Over the last few months, Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has taken every opportunity possible to publicly back Luiz Felipe Scolari.

But anyone thinking Kenyon’s apparent loyalty stemmed from the realisation that they might be doing better if he hadn’t botched their summer attempts to sign Robinho was wrong. After all, this is the same man who expressed “absolute confidence” in Avram Grant two months before he was sacked.

Is the Swede about to get involved in the relegation dogfight?

Yesterday Sven-Goran Eriksson was one of the favourites for the Chelsea job but this morning he has leapfrogged Avram Grant and Alan Curbishley to emerge as the frontrunner to succeed Tony Adams at Portsmouth.

The former England boss is currently in charge of Mexico, who face the USA in a World Cup qualifier tomorrow night, and while you would expect him to walk if Chelsea came calling, the Portsmouth link remains unconvincing.

Sorry Wisey, looks like nobody loves you

Sky Sports are reporting that Chelsea are only considering two names for the manager job - Avram Grant and Guus Hiddink.

Grant - who has the second best record of any Chelsea manager - would be an excellent short-term solution before a “big” manager becomes available in the summer, but he may still be unhappy about the ruthless manner in which he was dismissed last year.

Hiddink has overtaken Rijkaard as the bookies’ favourite, but the Dutchman may be difficult to land as his agent says he will turn down any approach from the club. Abramovich’s Russian links, however, should ensure The Blues do not have as much trouble bringing talent from behind the Iron Curtain as Arsenal did.

Chelsea are keen to reveal their new gaffer in the next 24 hours.