Avram Grant to become Chelsea director of football in the summer

Avram Grant will be booted upstairs this summer in Roman Abramovich's overhaul of the Chelsea backroom staff.

The Israeli, who surprisingly succeeded Jose Mourinho last September, will relinquish his current duties and become director of football.

Grant has confided in close friends that he will make way for a new boss. He has also publicly commended the idea of Chelsea appointing in a director of football. He will be that man.

Relations between Grant and his coaches Henk Ten Cate and Steve Clarke are uncomfortable. Their Chelsea futures will be determined by the appointment of the new manager.

Dutchmen Guus Hiddink and Frank Rijkaard have already been discussed as possible successors.