The return of Avram: Portsmouth reappoint Grant as director of football

07 October 2009 16:35
Portsmouth have sensationally reappointed Avram Grant as their director of football. The Israeli has been out of work since leaving his post as Chelsea manager after last year's Champions League final defeat to Manchester United. Grant previously held the same post at Portsmouth and he has now been lured back to support manager Paul Hart. It is the first significant move since Ali Al Faraj completed his 90 per cent buy-out of th  club from Sulaiman Al Fahim earlier this week. 'Avram is a very experienced operator,' said chief executive Peter Storrie. 'He'll be doing much of the same thing as when he was here with Harry Redknapp. 'The owners wanted a new structure in place and believe Avram is the best man for the job. He will meet the players on Monday and start his job then and we're looking for him to enjoy a successful period here.' Veteran goalkeeper David James welcomed Grant back to Fratton Park. 'I love Avram,' he said. 'When I first joined the club he was there and he was very active in the preparation for games. He is a very wise man, his football knowledge is extensive and he is a decent bloke, so it is a good move.' Grant will attempt to help Hart lift the club off the bottom of the Barclays Premier League after just one win from eight games so far. Grant, who has also worked as coach of Israel, was one penalty kick away from leading Chelsea to Champions League glory as they lost to Manchester United in Moscow. He was replaced soon afterwards by Luiz Felipe Scolari. It is expected that Grant will work with Hart on player recruitment at the south coast club, who were bought by Saudi property tycoon AlFaraj earlier this week after a brief, tumultuous period under the stewardship of Al Fahim. The club lost their opening seven matches in a row and that wascompounded by matters off the pitch when there was a delay in thepayment of September's wages to club staff.

Source: Daily_Mail