Grant given position at Chelsea F.C:
By dc_beatbox
@dc_beatbox (37)
Portugal
July 8, 2007 9:40am CST
Chelsea have appointed ex-Israel boss Avram Grant as director of football.
He is a friend of Blues owner Roman Abramovich and will work closely with manager José Mourinho as well as head of youth development Frank Arnesen.
Grant, 51, who had been technical director at Portsmouth, will anso sit on the football club board."Grant will be responsible for liaison on, and co-ordination of, football matters across the various areas of Chelsea." A club statement confirmed. "He'll also sit on the board and report to chief executive Peter Kenyon."Grant guided Israel to the brink of world cup qualification in 2006 when the side finished unbeaten in their group but trailed France and Switzerland. When his contract whit the national team ended in June 2006 the former Maccabi Telaviv and Maccabi Haifa coach joined Pompey. But Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp made it clear he would not stand in Grant's way when Chelsea showed initial interest in january. Speculation over his move to stamford bridge reportedly sparked a row between Abramovich and Mourinho but any differences appear to have been resolved.
Grant will link up with Chelsea on their pre-season tour of America, which starts on Monday. "His experience and knowledge will play an important role in the formulation of overall football policy." the statement continued.
1 response
@shinshein1 (38)
• Portugal
10 Jul 07
They are trying to cut Mourinho's chances in Chelsea. Last season was a test to him, they were trying to force him out of the club (since they can't sack him due to the large amount he would receive for it). During that mid-season when Chelsea had R. Carvalho and Terry injured, he had to play several matches with P. Ferreira and Essien as central-defenders... the board could have bought another player in December if they wanted to... The arrival of this new football boss is probably to put Mourinho with a tight leash, since he and Kenyon didn't get along very well. In my point of view, no matter what Chelsea wins, this will be Mourinho's last season at the Blues...