Avram Grant “is not John Wayne”, as only Kevin Keegan could put it, but when it comes to True Grit, the Chelsea first-team coach has not been found wanting. If his box-office status suffers in comparison with José Mourinho, the Israeli has proved himself a man of substance, with Keegan yesterday drawing comparisons to Bob Paisley's reign at Anfield.

Chelsea could finish this season with a hefty double, yet Grant's long-term position still appears far from secure. He is more tolerated than adored by supporters and while Newcastle United, Chelsea's hosts on Monday, may end his interest in the title race, Keegan believes that Grant warrants deep respect.

“I think Avram's had a really rough ride and I don't know why,” the Newcastle manager said. “He's done a great job. People say he doesn't have charisma, but I think he's got charisma. Yes, he's not José Mourinho, Alex Ferguson or Rafael Benítez. He's not a guy who comes in and struts about the place - he's not John Wayne - but he knows his football and he has had a fantastic season.

“Are managers to be judged by how good they are on TV, how many jokes they tell, how they get on with the media - or by results? That is what he should be judged on. Yes he lost his first game, but his record since then is incredible. 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.”

According to Keegan, Grant's achievement has been in shying away from an overhaul at Chelsea. “I think where Avram has been very, very clever is that he's let the ship sail along,” he said. “That's what Bob Paisley did after Bill Shankly at Liverpool. He has not made major changes.

“Why? Because I would say he has looked at it and thought it only needs cosmetic surgery. Now that is good management, even if it might not excite people. Maybe they'd want him to bring in ten players that only he knows, like what Arsène Wenger is perceived to have done at Arsenal.

“Whatever they do at Chelsea, certain people are going to say they bought success. But there is a lot more to it than that. Other people have tried to do that in divisions below, in leagues all over the world, but they are still trying, so you must give credit where it is due.

“Avram deserves a lot of credit for what he has done results-wise and the circumstances surrounding when he went in there and everything else.”