Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to bring Avram Grant back into the Stamford Bridge set-up, according to reports in several of Monday's newspapers.
Grant was sacked as Blues manager despite coming within one penalty kick of lifting the Champions League back in 2008, but it is believed that he has maintained a relationship with Abramovich in the last few years and he may now be recalled by the Russian as his attempts to revive his faltering team continue to flounder.
Abramovich is widely believed to be keen to appoint Pep Guardiola, who is currently on a sabbatical in New York, at the end of the season and it is felt that Grant could provide guidance
- either as a consultant or as caretaker manager - until the summer if required.
Benitez is proving an unpopular choice of interim boss with Chelsea fans, who have seen their team take two points from a possible nine under his stewardship. The Blues are now level on points with fifth-placed West Brom and it is reported that
Abramovich may act to save his club falling outside the Champions League spots.