English Premier League:Avram Grant insisted yesterday that Chelsea's move for Henk ten Cate came with his blessing and the arrival of the Ajax coach would provide him with a "top-of-the-line" assistant. Since his elevation to manager in the wake of Jose Mourinho's departure a little over two weeks ago, Grant has been working to assemble a new backroom staff.

Mourinho was followed out of the door by his assistant, Baltemar Brito, the fitness coach, Rui Faria, the goalkeeping coach, Silvino Louro, and the scout, Andre Villas Boas.

Mourinho's other assistant, Steve Clarke, has stayed and has taken charge of training but is understood to be considering his position. Grant says he does not want Clarke to leave and the club intends to pair the Scotsman with Ten Cate to mirror the coaching structure under Mourinho and offer a degree of continuity.

"I am in charge of my staff and of my players," Grant said, emboldened by Wednesday night's Champions League victory over Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium. "Any decision about my players and about my staff is my decision, absolutely mine . . . I want my assistants to be top of the line. (The club has) appointed someone who I think is very top - Steve - and we want the European (assistant coach) also to be one of the best.

"I have known (Ten Cate) many years, and I know what he did at Barcelona (as assistant to Frank Rijkaard)."

Chelsea have held talks with Ten Cate and although the Dutchman said little yesterday when asked about his prospective move, he is receptive to the notion. So, too, are Ajax. After narrowly missing out on the league title in his first season, Ten Cate has struggled so far this time out.

Were he to join Chelsea, Ajax would consider a move for Tottenham manager Martin Jol.