Grant to work alongside Hart

Director of football will help out under-fire boss

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 10th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Grant to work alongside Hart

Grant: New role

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Avram Grant has revealed that he will be taking a very hands-on approach to his new role at Portsmouth.

The former Chelsea boss has returned to Fratton Park for a second spell on the South Coast, accepting the role of director of football with the Premier League strugglers.

His presence at Pompey has cast doubt over the long-term future of first-team boss Paul Hart, who has fallen under increased pressure of late following a disastrous start to the season.

Grant insists he has no claims on a coaching post, but admits he will be working closely with Hart over the coming months.

"We will decide everything together. I will work with him fully," the Israeli tactician said in The Sun.

"I know what the job is that we must do. I am coming to a team in a bad situation.

"All our efforts must be to save the team from relegation - then we will decide the next step forward."

Grant has sought to distance himself from the ongoing reports suggesting he is being readied to step into Hart's shoes.

Suspicion

"England is a country where at first they treat you with suspicion if you are from a little country," he added.

"I have come through this now and am OK.

"There were some very warm headlines about my appointment, it has warmed my heart.

"I had a good conversation with Paul Hart and we will work together."

Grant is also looking to build bridges with his fellow countryman Tal Ben Haim, who is now on the books at Pompey, after the pair suffered a falling out during their days together at Stamford Bridge.

"We have already spoken about the bad feelings at Chelsea," he said.

"These are things that happen in football and it didn't affect our relationship outside.

"I will start work on Monday but things are not easy. It is also a new team from when I was here before."

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