Profile - Avram Grant
27 Nov 2009 - 15:07:18
Portsmouth's new manager Avram Grant has a big challenge on his hands to drag the South Coast club out of the relegation zone and starts with a home game against champions Manchester United.
He was appointed as Pompey's Director of Football in early October, with many speculating that he would succeed Paul Hart eventually, which he has done.
He is in his second spell at the club, having joined in 2005 as Technical Director to oversee Harry Redknapp's side.
He subsequently joined Chelsea as Director of Football before taking over from Jose Mourinho as manager shortly afterwards. The Israeli is the only current Premier League manager who never played professional football, starting his coaching career at the age of 18.
When Grant joined Portsmouth, he took up his first ever role outside of his home country. He had won many trophies and accolades in Israel but Chelsea took a gamble when hiring him.
Off the field he was criticised by Chelsea fans, who sang Jose Mourinho's name for a period. However, Grant managed to take Chelsea to a Champions League final, something 'the Special One' never achieved.
However, after losing that on penalties and failing to lift the Premier League trophy, Grant was fired and rejected the chance to return to his old post.
Avram Grant Timeline:
4 May 1955: Born as Avraham Grant in Petah Tikva, Israel.
1972: Takes role as youth coach at hometown team Hapoel Petah Tikva, which he stays in for 14 years
1986: Promoted to first team coach at Hapoel Petah Tikva.
1990 and 1991: Wins Toto Cup two years running and takes Hapoel back to top of Israeli football for first time in 25 years. Petah Tekva challenge Maccabi Haifa for title for tail end of Grant's reign and win Israel State Cup in his final season in charge.
1991/92: Grant takes manager role at Maccabi Tel-Aviv and wins Liga Leumit (then the top division) by 13 points at first attempt. Missed out on double after losing in Israel Cup final to Maccabi Haifa.
1994-95: Grant wins Israel Cup then championship in last two seasons respectively at Tel Aviv before taking the job at Hapoel Haifa.
1995-96: Stayed at Haifa for just one unsuccessful season, finishing fourth in the Israeli Championship.
1996: Returns to Maccabi Tel Aviv but could not bring glory days back and won just one Toto Cup during his second spell.
2000-02: Takes reigns at Maccabi Haifa, the most successful Israeli team, and led them for a successful two years. Haifa won the Premier League in his first season in charge.
2002: Missed out on an historic treble with Haifa, winning the Premier League for the second season running and Toto Cup but losing in the Israeli Cup on penalties to former club Maccabi Tel Aviv.
2002: After a brilliant spell at Haifa, Grant stepped down in order to take over the Israel national team becoming their youngest ever manager at the age of 47.
2004 and 2006: Israel failed to qualify for any major international tournaments under Grant but did go unbeaten during the qualifying for World Cup 2006. Grant stepped down in 2005.
2006: Grant then moved abroad for the first time, taking the Technical Directors job at Portsmouth.
2007: Moved to Chelsea as Director of Football before succeeding Jose Mourinho as manager. He was sacked in 2008 after just one season despite guiding team to Champions League final.
2009: Took Director of Football job under Portsmouth's new ownership before succeeding Paul Hart as manager.
-by David Brenchley
