Cole - Grant must stay

Midfielder backs manager for long-term success

Last updated: 16th May 2008

Joe Cole Avram Grant Chelsea

Grant and Cole: Gunning for glory

The Champions League final is the top of the mountain, the benchmark for any club. To win it is a massive achievement.

Joe Cole
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Joe Cole has reiterated his support for Avram Grant and insists the Chelsea manager will not be affected by criticism.

Chelsea are preparing for their UEFA Champions League final meeting with Manchester United in Moscow on Wednesday as they bid for revenge after being pipped to the Premier League title by their domestic foes.

And Cole is confident Grant - who replaced Jose Mourinho in September last year - remains the man to lead Chelsea to future glory, despite continuing speculation that the Israeli is heading for the Stamford Bridge exit this summer.

"It is part and parcel of being a manager or a footballer - there is always someone ready to have a pop at you," said Cole.

Attention

"I don't pay any attention to what those people think of me, and I am sure Avram doesn't either. He has got broad shoulders.

"There are people who will say if you win one game you are a God, and if you lose one game then you are the biggest duffer to have ever played football.

"If you look back at it, with all that has happened here, you have to say the club is going in the right direction.

"But we are not too interested in plaudits - you want trophies.

Benchmark

"We fought United all the way for the title and we are disappointed not to have won, but credit has to go to the whole squad and everyone around the place who have kept it going, shown real steel and determination.

"If we were to win in Moscow, then we would be going full speed ahead again.

"The Champions League final is the top of the mountain, the benchmark for any club. To win it is a massive achievement.

"Whatever happens in Moscow, the people in charge (at Chelsea) are doing a great job and we are going in the right direction, that's for sure."