Avram Grant’s long-term future as Chelsea coach is in jeopardy because of his lack of qualifications, The Times can reveal. It is understood that José Mourinho’s successor does not possess the Uefa Pro Licence and under Premier League rules he may be unable to continue in 12 weeks’ time.

Under Uefa and Premier League rules, a Uefa Pro Licence is required by anyone wishing to manage in the top flight on a permanent basis, which is taken to mean more than 12 weeks.

Grant does not have one and has not begun to study for it, as it was not mandatory when he last held a club job, with Maccabi Haifa five years ago. He does not even have the lesser qualifications, the A and B licences.

As the fallout from Mourinho’s shock departure continued yesterday with the revelation that Daniel Levy, the Tottenham Hotspur chairman, had called the Portuguese five times on Thursday to offer him the job at White Hart Lane, the Premier League began to investigate the suitability of the man who replaced him.

The league was told by David Barnard, the Chelsea secretary, that Grant, 52, does not have any coaching badges, but others at the club insisted last night that he has some qualifications from Israel. If so, they have yet to be presented to the league.

Chelsea have three months to present a compelling case for an exception to be made for Grant that would enable him to stay in charge of the first team. They have no guarantee of success, however, with sources at Gloucester Place indicating they are taking the matter extremely seriously.

The league has waived its rules on two occasions to allow unlicensed managers to stay in their jobs, but insists it did so only because of the exceptional circumstances in which Glenn Roeder and Gareth Southgate found themselves when appointed at Newcastle United and Middlesbrough respectively. Newcastle claimed that Roeder was halfway to gaining the licence when he suffered a brain tumour when managing West Ham United in 2003, while Southgate’s studies had been interrupted by spending his summers playing for England.

Grant may be viewed differently, however, as he has yet to begin his course and his case appears to be based solely on a letter from the Israeli FA stating that he is an experienced coach.

Grant has contacted the Israeli FA, asking to be enrolled on one of its courses, although the Pro Licence takes at least a year to obtain and involves several residential stays and a minimum of 240 hours of study.

Even if Chelsea succeed in gaining dispensation, there could be ramifications for future Champions League campaigns because Uefa’s interpretation of the rules is more stringent. Middlesbrough, for example, have not been awarded a Uefa licence because Southgate does not have the Pro Licence, although, as they did not qualify for European competition this season, it has not hindered them.

Chelsea have already been granted a licence for this season, but Uefa has the right to refuse them entry into next season’s competition if the manager does not acquire the relevant qualifications.

Grant’s difficult start continued yesterday when it emerged that Chelsea’s players are concerned that Roman Abramovich’s influence over first-team affairs is increasing.

Their worries result from a meeting at the training ground on Thursday between Abramovich, the owner, Grant and Steve Clarke, the assistant coach, at the end of which rumours began circulating of a changed team and formation for tomorrow’s match against Manchester United. Shaun Wright-Phillips’s place on the right of midfield will be taken by Joe Cole, with Andriy Shevcheko continuing up front in a more attacking 4-4-2 system favoured by Abramovich.