Avram Grant named as the new West Ham manager

GRANT NAMED NEW HAMMERS BOSS

In what remained just a formality, Avram Grant was today confirmed as the new Hammers boss after agreeing to a 4 yr deal at Upton Park. Avram Grant was widely tipped to be the successor to Gianfranco Zola after the Italian was sacked after the last match of the Barclays Premier League. Although they had avoided relegation, it was not the primary aim for a club which wants to fight for a top 10 spot on a regular basis.

Hammering away!

Co-owners Gold and Sullivan were very happy for bringing Grant to West Ham .

Gold said: “I have to say that having met Avram and spent some time with him that we have got our man. He is a perfect fit.”

“We needed experience and stability. He is a footballing man and quite frankly his reputation speaks for itself. He has a great sense of humour and I am sure the players will relate to him and the fans will warm to him.”

And Sullivan added: “I am delighted to welcome Avram to West Ham and am confident he will prove a success. We have taken our time over this appointment and are certain we have got the right man.”

“We are all looking forward to next season with new players coming in and Avram’s arrival is just the latest reason for real optimism.”

Many successful and good coaches were linked to the vacant managerial spot at West Ham. At one time coaches of the stature of Slaven Bilic, the Croatia coach and a West Ham favourite, Roy Hodgeson and Sam Allardyce were being linked.

But Grant had the upper hand after his managerial season at Portsmouth won him widespread appreciation. The 55-year-old earned praise from all quarters as he guided the stricken South Coast club to the FA Cup final, where they were narrowly beaten by Chelsea, but was unable to prevent relegation to the Championship following a nine-point deduction for going into administration.