london (AP) — Avram Grant is barely on the job at Chelsea following Jose Mourinho. Now he must wonder how long he will be there.

The former Israel coach watched the Blues lose his first game in charge — 2-0 to big rival Manchester United — to slide to sixth in the Premier League.

During the game, he heard the Chelsea fans chant the names of predecessor Mourinho and his assistant, Steve Clarke, who was sitting beside him.

Not so much as an "Avram, give us a wave" from the Blues faithful, many not knowing why he joined the club in the first place.

Then there's the little matter that he doesn't hold a UEFA Pro Licence to manage in the Premier League despite his experience in Israel.

Sightings of Netherlands coach Marco van Basten sitting behind owner Roman Abramovich at Old Trafford may not add to Grant's security at Chelsea, either. Neither will the fact that the Russian met former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson at the game, the Swede now in charge of Manchester City.

There is also speculation that Grant, hired as part of the coaching staff in July, is only keeping the seat warm for another of the owner's favorites, Russia coach Guus Hiddink.

If that's not enough to worry him, there are rumors that Abramovich is taking a hands-on role with the players instead of being content to occasionally open his checkbook.

While there seems no sign yet of Abramovich sitting next to Grant on the bench for some kind of "Abram-Avram" linkup, the Israeli appears to have a tough job convincing the media and sceptical Chelsea fans that he is the man to maintain Mourinho's successes at Stamford Bridge.

"I know everybody said I don't have experience in the English league, don't have experience as a coach," he said. "But I have been here many, many times in training, in games. I don't see any problems but I do understand the doubts. It is not the first time somebody came and nobody knew anything about him."

Grant will be in charge again when Chelsea goes to low-key Hull City on Wednesday in English soccer's third-tier League Cup. That's after a Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford, and Chelsea fans may see a parallel. A visit to Hull after Manchester United is a little like Grant following Mourinho.