Avram Grant was never likely to be accepted into the glamorous world of European football's elite.
Even though the much-maligned coach came within a few coats of paint of winning the Champions League Final for Chelsea, in a penalty shoot-out against Manchester United last May, there was always a feeling that whatever he achieved would not satisfy the critics who were determined to portray him as a misfit.
In an era when sport expects its star performers to have a showbiz persona as well as an ability to succeed under intense pressure, the dour and uninspiring press briefings offered by Grant were predictably covered in a negative light.
