Grant confirmed Pompey boss

Israeli given club's backing to lead team to survival

Last updated: 26th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Grant confirmed Pompey boss

Grant: Takes charge of Pompey

SKY BET ODDS
Portsmouth's first win under Grant against Sunderland 13/2. Bet now.

Related links

Teams

Also see

Portsmouth have confirmed Avram Grant will take over as manager to replace the sacked Paul Hart at Fratton Park.

Hart was relieved of his duties earlier this week following a disappointing start to the season which has left Pompey bottom of the Premier League.

Former Chelsea boss Grant initially appeared not to be in contention to succeed Hart, with ex-Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson installed as favourite for the job.

However, Pompey held talks with Grant regarding the position on Wednesday and have now confirmed the Israeli as the club's new manager.

Grant had been appointed as director of football by Pompey last month and had been awaiting a work permit to get stuck into his role.

He has now received the necessary clearance to start work and will be in the dugout for Pompey's home date with champions Manchester United on Saturday.

Respected

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie told the club's official website: "Avram is a very experienced and respected manager who has managed at the highest level.

"The board believes he is the man to help steer the club out of the relegation zone.

"He knows the club, the players and the set-up at Fratton Park, so it was the logical move to make him the next manager, once the board had decided to relieve Paul Hart of the role.

"He will take charge of training on Friday alongside first-team coaches Paul Groves and Ian Woan."

Grant had previously been director of football at Portsmouth in 2006/07 before he joined Chelsea in a similar position, later replacing Jose Mourinho as manager.

For Saturday's game against United, he will take charge in his capacity as director of football, with Pompey needing to acquire a new sponsorship number from the Football Association in order to change his permit status to become manager.

Comments (52)

  • Page 1 of 3
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Phil H (Manchester United fan) says...

Great move for Portsmouth. Whether it was his squad or not when Avram left chelsea they were easily the second best club in Europe, and looked better than they ever had under Mourinho. I think chelsea were hasty in getting rid of a manager who seemed to get the most out of a set players he didn't spend millions putting together and for the same reason, Portsmouth should feel pretty optimistic.

Posted 23:35 28th November 2009

Robbie Herd (Liverpool fan) says...

Typical of a chelsea fan in John Clarke saying now that Avram Grant was liked by chelsea fans. What a load of rubbish, you were all saying he was pants and was never a replacement for the self proclaimed special one Jose. Although he took you to the champions league final, you were still whinning. It's all well and good in hindsight to say you liked him but we all know that's just talk. Grant I'm sure will do well, just as he did at Chelsea in short space of time he was given. I bet John Clarke lives in Scotland anyway.

Posted 23:13 28th November 2009

Tim Adam (Arsenal fan) says...

Amo Singh - Avram Grant built up his name from taking over Chelsea - no one had heard of him before. Gus Hiddink on the other hand, has some previous history of success and is a much sought after manager than Avram Grant!

Posted 02:38 28th November 2009

David Shaw (Manchester United fan) says...

Great appointment for pompey, Avram Grant is a honest, realistic and intelligent man and what he also has is contacts. In Pompeys defence they have played well in there matches but just never crossed the finishing line. Good news for them aswell is they have a fewplayers to come back, especially Buppa Diop who is argubally there best player. Henderison also returns from injury and his experience and deligation may strenghten there defence. They need to have a bit of a spend is the January window. I think 2 defenders, 1midfielder and a striker, i think they should persue in getting Benni Mcarthy as when hes playing well hes a goal machine, Maybe to strengthen there defence up a couple of lads likeGareth Bale as a possible loan. Good luck

Posted 00:07 28th November 2009

Frank Webster (Chelsea fan) says...

First of all as a Chelsea fan i'm delighted to see Avram back in English football, he never got the credit he deserved when he was with us he was the first manager to take us to the Champions League final and it's more than a possibibly he would still be in charge just now had we won that game! The one thing Avram did superbly well for us was get us out of a crisis, we were faultering and he came in and steaded the ship and took is in the right direction. So, for that reason I think Portsmouth have got the right man in charge, Paul Hart done very well under the circumstances their and the good thing for Avram is the fact Pompy arent playng too badly at all, and although Hart has left them bottom of the league that paints a false picture in my opinion but I strongly beleive that he(Avram Grant) is the right man for Portsmouth and i think he will turn their fortunes around in the weeks and months ahead and also because he will be able to bring in quality players and get Pompy to PL safety. Ps The title is coming home this year!, and by sunday evening we will have taken care of Arsenal! Cmon the Blues!!

Posted 21:12 27th November 2009

Jimmy Wy (Portsmouth fan) says...

Well i think Grant will do well for my club i seen my team play well under Hart but hopefully with a new face in the changing rooms he will get some wins with some great performances aswell showing the team that we are. I think we can't get out of this bad start also we have about the same win rate as Wolves but people arnt saying there be in the championship next year. So up the Blues We can get out of this. Play Up Pompey!

Posted 13:10 27th November 2009

Amo Singh says...

I cant understand how you can call Avram Grant rubbish, at chelsea yes he had the team set up but the team was also set up for Guus Hiddink who couldnt do nothing about it, so obviously Avram Grant did something right. We all know pomey are going to struggle this season. Teams have strengthen and they have not due to the money coming into the club. They should avoid the drop.

Posted 10:44 27th November 2009

John Clarke (Chelsea fan) says...

Trust a Liverpool fan (Darren Bekhov) to make a stupid statement. Avram Grant was liked by the Chelsea fans and they did not want to see him go. He will get a great reception next month and will do a good job for Pompey. Stick to the spanish waiter if you want to make stupid comments. Probably a southern based Liverpool fan anyway like the majority who post comments on this site.

Posted 09:19 27th November 2009

Kenneth Edwards (Darlington fan) says...

But this means Portsmouth will be without a director of football for this weekend, how will they survive?..... And all this happens in the week that Grants work permit cleared?? (As in the earliest opportunity for Grant to take over) So apparently this is the thanks you get for trying to fix a broken object with no glue. Hart never stood a chance.... Well good luck Pompey... You need a scrapper right now, someone who can inspire and Avram Grant has about as much fight in him as a hog tied lobster. As for inspiration, well... there is a reason John Terry was doing the team talks during Avrams reign... I like pompey so i hoope you sort it out but i remain dubious... UP THE LEEDS!!!!

Posted 08:47 27th November 2009

John Best says...

Good man but unproven as a manager - Chelsea was set up for him. But the question is:- with our property billionaire owner from Dubai are we heading for a no money situation again very quickly following the recent events in that country? Could only happen to Pompey!!!!

Posted 08:22 27th November 2009

Nick Hadges (Chelsea fan) says...

We will find out if it was he that did so well at Chelsea or was it the players who stepped up. I liked Grant but mostly his personality he was a cool coach and told it like it was and never blamed the ref.

Posted 02:55 27th November 2009

Aryaman Sanganeria (Chelsea fan) says...

Its good to see Avram Grant back in the premier league. Lets see if Pompey respond to his changes.

Posted 02:02 27th November 2009

Liam Croad (Portsmouth fan) says...

This is just what we need a new manager and lets make a fresh start, Avram Grant showed at chelsea how well he could manage a side he got them to the final of Champions League and was unlucky and finshed second in the premiership so he got experiance the only thing worring me is that were bottom of the table and if we dont turn things around soon were be playing championship football next year, But with are amazing support from the fans such as myself the team knows were behind them. I hope we get a new striker in january that got experiance and can score goals but isnt to old, i also wouldnt mind seeing gary o'neil back. maybe matty taylor but i dunno bout that. POMPEY TILL I DIE I KNOW I AM IM SURE I AM IM POMPEY TILL I DIE!!!!

Posted 23:36 26th November 2009

Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Very shabby, after all the denials that Hart would be sacked and Grant would be given the job.Harry worked miracles for Pompey but they will be where they belong in May, in the Championship.

Posted 23:12 26th November 2009

Darren Bekhor (Liverpool fan) says...

Grant deserves to be back in the premier league for sure, i still feel the man did well despite being seen to be so despised by the media and a large portion of the Chelsea fan base. This is good news for Pompey, although I dont think he will be able to do too much this year appart from just about keeping the club up. Club has not looked the same since half the squad left.

Posted 22:40 26th November 2009

Richard Murrell (Portsmouth fan) says...

I think it is a good appointment for the club, Grant is realistically the best appointment we could have made. Who would really have wanted to come to us, with the state we are in. It is a bit harsh, that Hart has had to go, however, the season has not gone well and I really dont think it was going to improve much either. Hopefully Grant can attract some players to the club in January to help us stay up and get the ones we do have now playing a bit better. Only a third of the way through the season, so still plenty of points to go after. Good luck to Avram and the team and I hope he does well and keeps us up.

Posted 22:16 26th November 2009

Paula Inglis (chelsea fan) says...

Good luck to Avram and good luck to Pompey. He did a splendid job whilst at Chelsea and it's good to see him back in the premier league. He will get a good reception when he brings his boys to Chelsea. Hopefully Pompey will respond to Avrams skills and turn their season around. Up the Blues!

Posted 22:16 26th November 2009

Ellery Mcqueen (Manchester United fan) says...

So they've put Inspector Dreyfuss (Herbert Lom in Pink Panther movies) is in charge of struggling Portsmouth.

Posted 21:47 26th November 2009

Damien Locker (Manchester United fan) says...

Think Avram Grant taking over Pompey is a good move! he did quality at chelsea only reason he was sacked was because he didnt win champions league! think Avram will get the best out of the pompey lads just hope it doesnt start Saturday as i'm a Man Utd fan!

Posted 21:32 26th November 2009

Jack Maguire (Portsmouth fan) says...

great choice of manager couldnt thin k of one better were gonna be in the top 4 for next year defiently

Posted 21:22 26th November 2009
  • Page 1 of 3
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private