Manager Avram Grant has survived by his number two Zlejko Petrovic has left Upton Park.

IT WAS not what the shellshocked fans at Anfield were calling for, but someone eventually paid the price for Saturday’s abject performance against Liverpool.

Some expected Avram Grant to be given the bullet, but he was the choice of the chairmen, he has a lucrative four-year contract and so it was his number two Zeljko Petrovic who was shown the Upton Park exit door.

Rumblings had been coming out of the Chadwell Heath training ground for a very long time that Petrovic was not a popular coach among the players and the other staff.

And when one highly-regarded coach at the club who will remain nameless, is making those sort of noises, then it really is time for action.

The 45-year-old from Montenegro, arrived at Upton Park with decent credentials.

He had played 18 times for Yugoslavia and also worked with Martin Jol at SV Hamburg as a coach, before trying his hand – unsuccessfully – as manager of Portuguese club Braga.

However, after Paul Groves and Kevin Keen had guided the Hammers through an impressive pre-season, Petrovic’s arrival seemed to rock the boat.

Stories in the nationals had suggested that Petrovic was hated by the players, but although that was somewhat exaggerated, it does appear that his departure will not be mourned too much by some in the West Ham squad.

The question is, who, if anyone, will be next?