Grant concedes his job is under threat

Updated 10.41 Mon Mar 10 2008

Keywords: avram grant, champions league, fa cup, premier league, chelsea, football, sport

Chelsea manager Avram Grant has admitted he could be sacked unless he wins the Premier League or European Cup this season.

Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich appointed Grant as Jose Mourinho's replacement earlier this season, but the new manager appeared to answer his critics when Chelsea enjoyed a run of nine straight wins in all competitions from the end of December.

"When my team loses at Barnsley there will be many negative things said about it" - Avram Grant

However, Chelsea lost to Tottenham in the Carling Cup final last month and suffered a shock defeat against Barnsley in the sixth round of the FA Cup.

Those results have raised more questions about his suitability for the job and there would be no shortage of candidates to spend Abramovich's billions.

Grant said: "I will accept it. When I am responsible for the team, and when my team loses at Barnsley, there will be many negative things said about it.

"On the other hand, we have two major competitions left. I am concentrating on them, not other things. But this is a massive disappointment."

Grant has steered his team to within eight points of the top of the Premier League but they need Arsenal and Manchester United to drop points if they are going to win the title.

Grant's assistant Henk ten Cate said: "One bad run of results and you're out. You just can't afford to lose here. I came to Chelsea because I was looking for peace. I wanted to work at the top level and at the same time I was looking for peace."