Avram's planning for lengthy future

When asked about if Abramovich has postponed talks until after the Champions League Final against Manchester United on May 21, he said: "It's not true. If my team were as creative as the questions then we would be better."

Grant's position has also been helped by Chelsea's late charge in the title race, with their win over United bringing them level with Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

The 52-year-old believes he's finally won the respect of the Chelsea supporters and vowed there are even better things to come.

He said: "The relationship with the fans is good now. In the last two games they were so good they were like the 12th man. We have developed our game each month and we have had more good matches than bad ones. The past week we showed our best against two great clubs with two great managers.

"We showed we want to play very good football and we want to continue like this. This was an exciting week and more than this it was a historic day for Chelsea. From now on, every Chelsea fan will remember April 30 as the day we got to the Champions League Final for the first time. It will go down as a historic day on my CV too."

Despite that, some fans are still anti-Grant because they are unhappy with the team's style of football and wish Jose Mourinho, who led them to five major trophies including back-to-back Premier League titles, was still there.

However, Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan, whose side entertain Chelsea on Monday, thinks the criticism is unfair.

He said today: "Avram's had a rough ride and I don't know why. People say he doesn't have charisma, but I think he has. Yes, he's not Jose Mourinho, Alex Ferguson or Rafa Benitez.

"But are managers to be judged by how good they are on TV, how many jokes tell, how they get on with the media - or by results? He's had a fantastic season. People may say he's not doing a very good job there, but it makes the rest of us look very vulnerable if Avram Grant is in trouble."

Keegan vowed to make life difficult for the visitors on Monday.

He said: "It's my job to make sure the players do everything they can to help Manchester United win the title.

"Chelsea will come here expecting to to get something - that's why they are where they are. But expecting it and getting it are two different things."

Keegan's side will have to keep Didier Drogba quiet. There is still speculation linking him to a move in the summer.

Grant said: "I don't know if it will be hard to keep him - there are a lot of rumours about everybody. He can only play for one club but so far he's been linked to four others.

"He is still at the club and is giving everything although sometimes he has better days than others."