Source: Team_Talk
Hammers duo excited at Grant arrival
West Ham co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold heralded Thursday's appointment of Avram Grant as the "beginning of a new era".[LNB] Sullivan and Gold hope Grant will bring stability to Upton Park after the club spent much of last season flirting with relegation from the Premier League.[LNB]Popular Italian Gianfranco Zola paid for the troubled campaign with his job shortly after West Ham finished one place above the relegation zone on 35 points.[LNB]Keen to avoid another fraught season, the club have identified former Portsmouth and Chelsea manager Grant as the man to usher in more harmonious times.[LNB]"I have to say that having met Avram and spent some time with him, we have got our man. He is a perfect fit," Gold told the club's official website.[LNB]"We needed experience and stability. He's a footballing man and quite frankly his reputation speaks for itself.[LNB]"He has a great sense of humour and I'm sure the players will relate to him and the fans will warm to him."[LNB]Grant has agreed a four-year deal subject to a work permit and the club hope to unveil him later this month.[LNB]The 55-year-old arrives at Upton Park having overcome all odds to steer Portsmouth into last month's FA Cup final where the fairytale ended with defeat by Chelsea.[LNB]Working amid horrendous financial constraints, Grant inspired a club that had been placed into administration to punch well above its weight and won unanimous approval as a result.[LNB]His defiance of Championship-bound Portsmouth's dire situation and success on the pitch earnt him the adoration of supporters and saw his stock as a Premier League manager soar.[LNB]Two years earlier, he was sacked by Chelsea after losing the Champions League final to Manchester United on penalties.[LNB]"I'm proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It's an exciting challenge and I'm ready to do my best," said Grant.[LNB]"West Ham is a fantastic club with great fans and a history that is respected around the world.[LNB]"I'm already looking forward to getting to work with my players in July and preparing for the new season."[LNB]Grant, who stepped down from Portsmouth two weeks ago, was strongly linked with the West Ham vacancy from the moment Zola was sacked.[LNB]Among his rivals for the job were Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, Ian Holloway - boss of Premier League newcomers Blackpool, Cardiff manager Dave Jones and Sam Allardyce of Blackburn.[LNB]"I'm delighted to welcome Avram to West Ham and am confident he will prove a success," said Sullivan.[LNB]"We have taken our time over this appointment and are certain we have got the right man.[LNB]"We are all looking forward to next season with new players coming in and Avram's arrival is just the latest reason for real optimism."
