Avram Grant content to leave his future in Chelsea's hands

Avram Grant isn't seeking any assurances from Chelsea over his future.

Speculation has surrounded his position as manager since he took over in September and hasn't abated even after he guided the club to second place in the Premier League and a spot in next week's Champions League final.

But the former Israel coach is unperturbed by reports linking the likes of Frank Rijkaard and Sven-Goran Eriksson to the club, even with Chelsea remaining silent over its plans for next season.

"Now, you need to let me know if I don't continue." Grant's confidence in himself and his team doesn't, however, stretch to an assumption that the club might not end up dispensing with his services.

"It's a contract between friends, even if we don't want to involve friendship in our business," Grant said.

"If the club was not happy for me, no problem. If I am not happy and I want to leave, I don't think they would give me a problem."

At any other club, Grant would have done more than enough to earn at least one more year in charge. But with Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich craving exciting soccer as well as trophies, Grant has his work cut out.

And Grant has struggled to win over fans after replacing the popular Jose Mourinho, who had led the club to its first league title in 50 years and then retained it.

Grant was switched from his position as director of football, despite having no Champions League or Premier League experience, prompting incredulity among fans and an assumption that it was a stopgap appointment.

But since losing his first game 2-0 at Manchester United, Grant lost just one domestic match and finished just two points behind United in the Premier League.

The major blemish on his record with the Blues is the surprise 2-1 loss to Tottenham in February's League Cup final. Grant attracted criticism for his team selection and seemed unable to influence his players in the crucial extra time.

Grant is just happy to have another opportunity to prove himself against Manchester United in Moscow next Wednesday.

"If I win 10 titles in 10 years, I will always feel I still have something to prove," Grant said. "The moment you think you have nothing to prove, you are in trouble. That is what sport is about.

"What happened, happened in the Carling (League) Cup final. With respect, we are now in a more special cup."

Grant said John Terry, Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho will all be fit to face Man United and that he was "80, 90 percent" sure about his team selection.

But he would not discuss the latest stories in British newspapers that Drogba is set to join AC Milan after the final.

"First we have a game on Wednesday and we will speak about the future after that," Grant said. "But I can promise you that the future will be very good at Chelsea."

Sapa-AP