Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Manchester City manager, is convinced that Avram Grant can bring more success to Stamford Bridge.

The Swede was twice courted by Peter Kenyon, the Chelsea chief executive, initially as a potential successor to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, then when Roman Abramovich was looking for someone to take over from Claudio Ranieri.

However, now installed at City by ambitious new owner Thaksin Shinawatra, Eriksson has looked on from afar at the amazing developments at Chelsea. He has admitted he was as surprised as anyone by Mourinho's exit and claimed not to know why the charismatic coach was ousted after winning five trophies in his three seasons with the London outfit.

However in Grant, a long-standing acquaintance, Eriksson believes Chelsea have put a very capable man in charge, even though the 52-year-old's experience outside Israel is limited. "It is a big job but I think Avram is ready for it and I think he will succeed," Eriksson said. "He is a very good man who knows his football. The people at Chelsea are experienced and obviously they trust him.

"If they say he is the man and they think he can do it, I am sure he can. I know Avram very well. I have been to dinner with him many times and I will phone him to wish him good luck."

Aside from causing a stir at Stamford Bridge when he was appointed director of football by Abramovich this summer, Grant's major claim to footballing fame was leading Israel to the brink of qualification for the 2006 World Cup.

Yet, despite such an obvious lack of exposure at the highest level, Eriksson is confident in Grant's ability. "When he was manager of the national team in Israel, he saw at least as many games as I did - and many of them were in the Premier League," Eriksson said. "He is a very clever person but whether he will do better, worse or as well as Mourinho, I have no idea."

Eriksson does accept Mourinho will be a loss to the Premier League and claimed that despite their own vested interests, the pair never had a problem during his days with England. "I always had a very good relationship with him," he said. "I am quite sure the Premier League will miss him. He is a colourful character and very good for football."

Meanwhile, Eriksson confirmed Stephen Ireland, who has completed an eventful week by signing a five-year contract extension with the Eastlands outfit, will return to the City squad after missing last week's win over Aston Villa amid the fall-out from his bizarre withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland squad.