Premier League seeks Grant letter

The Premier League is still awaiting documentation that will allow new Chelsea manager Avram Grant an extension to attain a Uefa pro licence.

The 52-year-old Israeli can manage the club for a 12-week period without the necessary Uefa certificate.

However, the Blues believe Grant has the equivalent qualifications that will allow him to continue beyond that.

"Chelsea will be sending the documents to make their case," a Premier League spokesman told BBC Sport.

It is understood the qualifications Grant gained from his time coaching in Israel are only of a similar standard to the 'A' licence.

Chelsea have this 12-week period to satisfy the Premier League guidelines rule Q4.

This states that the person must have a pro license or commenced with a pro license course; hold an Football Association diploma, or have/be engaged in gaining an equivalent qualification.

The pro licence requires 240 hours of study and usually takes a year to attain.


One thing that disappoints us greatly is when clubs don't check beforehand

LMA's Howard Wilkinson

In the past the Premier League has granted extensions beyond the 12-week period of grace in a couple of exceptional cases.

Glenn Roeder received an extension on health grounds while Gareth Southgate was deemed to have had restricted opportunities to gain a licence because of his international career.

Martin O'Neill was also granted an exemption after undergoing a five-day refresher course.

Howard Wilkinson, chairman of the League Managers' Association, said he was disappointed Chelsea had not checked to see whether Grant had the pro licence.

"I don't want to get involved in personalities. This is not about Avram Grant, this is a matter of principle," he said.

"We do not have any issue about the rules being tweaked, we are not against that if the move in general is to have better-qualified coaches working in this country.

"But one thing that disappoints us greatly is when clubs don't check beforehand.

"If BA employ a pilot they are not going to say afterwards, 'By the way, do you have a pilot's licence?' It's not a bad idea to make sure he has got a licence before you give him the job.

"It would help if these big corporations spent a bit of time and energy determining these sorts of factors first."

Uefa technical director Andy Roxburgh reiterated the importance of holding a pro licence.

"If we are going to have a licencing system then it is important the system is applied," said the former Scotland coach.