Last updated 19:43, Thursday, 05 June 2008

PREMIER League chairmen are definitely a special breed. At times I just don’t know what they expect from their teams, managers and everyone else.

I do suppose, however, that if you are ploughing countless millions into a business then you want visible results. But since the end of the season Chelsea have sacked Avram Grant and Man City have got rid of Sven Goran Eriksson.

Sven has led City into the UEFA Cup, finishing ninth in the league.

Man City are not a top four team and, okay, the second half of their season was pretty dire in terms of results, finishing with an 8-1 beating by Middlesbrough, but the Swede did well and was building for the future.

Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Michael Johnson and Stephen Ireland are all young lads who have been in inspirational form this season, leading to Hart winning his first England cap this week.

Some of Sven’s big money signings have been dubious. The likes of Giovanni, among others have been awful, but Elano and Petrov have been superb, leading to “bigger” clubs taking an interest.

Chelsea have sacked a man who got the side to three finals. Yes, he lost them all, but the team has been there. The tactics for the Carling Cup Final were terrible, but in the Champions League final they were an inch away from victory.

Grant didn’t even bring in players who cost money. He worked with Joe Mourinho’s team and did well. The summer months are when managers should be judged, and both should still be in a job.

I hope a trend is not being set here, because if reaching three finals is failure then heaven help the rest of the Premier League club!