Source: Telegraph
Portsmouth name Avram Grant as manager following sacking of Paul Hart
The 54-year-old has also started the search for a new assistant manager to work alongside him at Portsmouth although he does intend to keep first-team coaches Paul Groves and Ian Woan at the club.[LNB]Grant has converted his two-and-a-half year contract, which he signed in October, to become Portsmouth's director of football into now being the club's manager.[LNB] Related ArticlesPortsmouth: from glory to despairAvram Grant: profilePortsmouth poised to appoint Avram GrantAlan Curbishley the sensible choice as new Portsmouth managerPortsmouth sack Paul HartSport on televisionHowever Portsmouth's executive director Mark Jacob confirmed that the club would now have to re-apply for a new work permit for Grant before he can assume the title of manager. He will, nevertheless, be in charge for Saturday's league meeting at Fratton Park against Manchester United.[LNB]Playing United, albeit in a Champions League final, was Grant's last match as Chelsea manager and Jacob claimed that the Israeli's experience was a key to his appointment. Jacob also denied claims that replacing Paul Hart with Grant was always the plan.[LNB]'Had the results of the last 10 games gone differently then we would not have made this change,' Jacob said, with Portsmouth rooted to the bottom of the table and four points from safety.[LNB]Of Grant, he added: 'He is fully aware of the club and has managed at the highest level and we believe he is the right man.' Jacob also denied suggestions that the future of chief executive Peter Storrie, who is understood to have been lukewarm about Grant's appointment, was in question. 'Normal service continues,' he said of Storrie who had considered his future during the messy and protracted takeover of the club.[LNB]Grant is understood to have sought assurances that Portsmouth will not only be able to soon overcome a transfer ban — for the slowness with which they have paid Chelsea over the Glen Johnson deal — and will make money available to strengthen the squad when the window opens in the New Year.[LNB]However Jacob said that, so far, the club had not had that discussion with the new manager. 'We need to sit down with Avram,' he said last night. 'He is coming into the country tomorrow and, so far, there have been no discussions about that (transfer funds).' Grant will no doubt be aided in his search for new players by his agent, Pini Zahavi. Asked whether Grant would be bringing in his own staff, Jacob added: 'We also have a very capable backroom staff at the moment.' The feeling at Portsmouth — and one that is shared by Grant — is that despite the fire-sale of players during the last year which has seen the likes of Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch leave, that the hastily-assembled squad is underperforming and badly in need of confidence.[LNB]Grant first came to Fratton Park in June 2007, an appointment that was not made by the then manager Harry Redknapp although the two eventually struck a firm friendship — and one that has endured. Grant then moved on to Chelsea, through his association with the club's owner Roman Abramovich, but did not hit it off with Jose Mourinho who he eventually replaced.[LNB]At that time Grant suggested employing Jamie Redknapp — Harry's son — as part of his coaching staff. Jamie has made no secret of his interest in becoming a manager but the former England international decided to concentrate on his media career instead. Grant may well be weighing up another approach although whether Jamie Redknapp would want to join a club in Portsmouth's predicament remains to be seen.[LNB]Despite the somewhat dubious nature under which Grant has now gained a second managerial job — he was not made an offer from a significant club following his sacking by Chelsea last year — he is a popular figure with the Portsmouth players. Goalkeeper David James, in particular, has spoken enthusiastically about Grant.[LNB]Hart, meanwhile, has turned down the opportunity to remain at Fratton Park and become the club's technical director working with players aged 18-21.[LNB]Hart rejected the role after a meeting.[LNB]
