Avram Grant has launched an angry tirade against his critics and has denied Chelsea are in crisis after Sunday's Carling Cup final defeat.

On Friday afternoon, a rattled Grant launched into his most fearsome outburst since taking over from deposed Jose Mourinho last September.

The 52-year-old Israeli rounded on his detractors and lashed out at agent interference, inaccurate media reporting and a lack of respect for what he and his players have achieved since he took charge at Stamford Bridge.

Grant also explained that captain John Terry and first-team coach Henk ten Cate shook hands and hugged seconds after their training-ground row the day before last weekend's cup final at Wembley, where Tottenham won 2-1 after extra-time.

Chelsea also revealed they have issued legal correspondence over reports that scouting chief Frank Arnesen allegedly wants Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard as their next manager.

Grant initially began his pre-match media conference ahead of Chelsea's Premier League game at West Ham on Saturday in a low-key mood but his demeanour soon changed.

"If you speak about the last game, we didn't play well and we lost," said Grant calmly.

"The other five months, it was okay.

"Sunday was a bad game, a bad day in the life of the team. It happens sometimes. We lost the game but we are fighters and we move on."

But when asked about his relationship with the players following the defeat by Spurs, Grant reacted angrily.

"Why didn't you ask that question a week ago?," he fumed.

"Just because we lost one game... now, this is wrong, that is wrong.

"I don't want to defend myself about this. The spirit is very good in the team, the situation is very good with the team. We're sorry about what happened against Tottenham. I'm sorry, but we did a good job in the previous five months."

His unhappiness continued as he was quizzed about the training ground bust-up between Ten Cate and Terry.

Grant added: "I liked what Alan Shearer said. If you're a player, you know things like that happen. It was a discussion, you move on. They shook hands a minute later.

"No team in the world is without fighting. Sometimes it happens. Everything was okay a minute later. They shook hands, hugged."

Grant then made it clear that he had no problems with any of his staff, including Arnesen and owner Roman Abramovich.

"I have no problem in relation with anyone at the club," he said.

"We have a very good relationship with the staff, the players, with everyone.

"It's not been easy but we've won a lot of games together. I speak with Roman Abramovich a lot of times. No-one was happy with what happened in the game on Sunday.

"I respect the media in England - even though you gave me no credit at the beginning, but since then I've heard a lot of lies.

"Roman Abramovich has never told me one player that he needs to play, never told me to pick the team this way or that. I'm in charge. Please, you need to respect my professionalism.

"You're (the media) trying to hurt the team, hurt the club because we lost one game. If we lose tomorrow... wait with the knife a little bit.

"When a new player comes to my team, I give him two months to show what he can do.

"You didn't behave too nicely. Now I don't respect you too much because we lost one game and you've taken it too far. I don't like it. You hurt my players, you hurt the club and this is not the right way.

"We were the only team to get to the final from the big four, we are still in all the other competitions. We've won 24 games in 35. We have done a fantastic job in our opinion.

"The relationship is fantastic between the squad. Now, because we lost, this and this and this is not good. What wasn't good is that we lost the game.

"You have to see the facts of what's happened in the last few months and give respect to the players and to me for what we have achieved."

Reuters