Source: Team_Talk
Hammers poised to appoint Grant
West Ham are expected to appoint Avram Grant as their new manager on Thursday after concluding their search for Gianfranco Zola's successor.[LNB] The club released a statement this afternoon revealing they will make a formal announcement over the identity of their new boss within the next 24 hours.[LNB]Co-chairman David Gold has indicated that Grant, who left Portsmouth nearly two weeks ago, is on the brink of taking over at Upton Park.[LNB]"After an hour, we knew we could work with this manager. We are very optimistic," Gold told BBC Sport.[LNB]"I think it's time for the football club to get some stability with people that have been there, done that and got the T-shirt.[LNB]"The bottom line is the relationship between the manager and the chairman is critical.[LNB]"In our case it's two chairmen so it's even more difficult as you need to have a relationship between three people."[LNB]Zola steered West Ham to safety with 35 points, enough to keep them one place above the relegation zone, but was sacked soon after.[LNB]The Hammers were saved by the shortcomings of the teams below them as much as their own efforts, prompting Gold and fellow co-chairman David Sullivan to act.[LNB]Grant took Chelsea to the Champions League final in 2008 but was shown the door after the defeat by Manchester United.[LNB]The 55-year-old Israeli returned to the Barclays Premier League with Portsmouth last year, first as director of football and then as manager following the removal of Paul Hart.[LNB]His success in leading Portsmouth, who were placed into administration, to the FA Cup final amid severe financial constraints won universal approval.[LNB]Now West Ham view him as the man to usher in more harmonious times at Upton Park.[LNB]"We can't put our fans through what happened this again. We want to put together a team that was better than last year," said Gold.[LNB]"We were very fortunate. Normally 35 points gets you relegated.[LNB]"What we need is a manager who has achieved, has experience. We are not in a position where we can take on young, inexperienced managers.[LNB]"We did ask Franco to keep us up and he did that, but I think we need to move on from that. New owners like to choose their own people."[LNB]In a statement on the official website, www.whufc.com, West Ham revealed the incoming manager will be followed by several new recruits.[LNB]"West Ham United will make a formal announcement of the club's new manager within the next 24 hours," the statement read.[LNB]"The club have been conducting a thorough recruitment programme in recent weeks and made excellent progress after considering a number of candidates.[LNB]"The squad are set to report back for pre-season training on Monday July 5, meaning the new manager will have plenty of time to put together his squad for the 2010-11 campaign.[LNB]"With the aim to build on the proven international talent in the ranks and exciting youngsters coming through, the club expect a number of new signings to be made over the coming weeks."[LNB]West Ham also confirmed midfielder Luis Boa Morte has been offered a new contract, with his current deal due to run out on June 30.[LNB]Guillermo Franco, Ilan and Mido will be leaving Upton Park.[LNB]
