Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich appointed Grant as the Blues' new manager in place of Jose Mourinho, but Berkovic claims a conspiracy against the Portuguese.

"I think the way Chelsea gave the job to Grant was disgusting and disrespectful, mostly it is a story with a known end from the very beginning," the Israeli told The Sun.

"Chelsea and Avram have undermined the greatest manager of all time at Chelsea - the one all Chelsea fans admired with craziness and probably the most charismatic man in the football world today."

The 35-year old believes that Grant, who was responsible for ending his international career at his time as Israel coach, has a hand in Mourinho's exit.

"I have a feeling Grant will be successful but there is one problem. He will always be remembered as the man who pushed away Jose Mourinho," added Berkovic.

"It doesn't feel normal suddenly to have a new coach you knew as Abramovich's friend replacing one of the best managers in the world."

Berkovic is regarded as the most successful Israeli footballer to play in the UK, representing the likes of West Ham, Celtic, Blackburn, Manchester City and Portsmouth throughout the last decade.