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Tag: Avram Grant

  • Zambia hires former Chelsea coach as national team manager

    Zambia hires former Chelsea coach as national team manager

    The Football Association of  Zambia (FAZ) has announced the hiring of Chelsea’s former coach, Avram Grant as the new manager of the Chipolopolo of Zambia.

    Grant, 67, arrived in the African country the day before he was hired.

    Some 100 candidates vied for the position, including some who had coached the national team in the past.

    The selection panel was made up of government officials, Zambian coaches, and members of the local association, the network said. His candidacy was mediated by agent Nir Karin. According to channel 12.

    The Israeli signed a two-year-deal with the football federation with an option of extension if he does well.

    Grant said that he was looking forward to tinkering the Chipolopolo of Zambia to greater heights after landing the job.

    Grant made this known after he was being unveiled to the public via a press conference in Lusaka the capital of Zambia on Thursday.

    The former Chelsea boss said,  “I was looking for the right challenge and that is why I chose Zambia.

    “I came here because of the challenge, and I hope when I leave here, I’ll look around and say we did a good job and made a good foundation for the future.

    “I think Zambia has the potential. We’ve set the targets of what we want to achieve.”

    Grant led Chelsea to the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, losing on penalties to Premier League rival, Manchester United.

    Grant was Israel’s national soccer team coach in 2002-2006, but under him the country did not qualify for the UEFA European Championships in 2004 or the World Cup in 2006.

    The Israeli gaffer also tinkered some football clubs in the country.

    As a coach in Israel, he took four teams to victory in national leagues, twice with Maccabi Haifa and twice with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

  • Sexual harassment: No formal probe yet against former Chelsea coach

    Sexual harassment: No formal probe yet against former Chelsea coach

    Israel’s police is yet to start a formal investigation against former Chelsea manager Avram Grant who has been accused of sexual harassment in a television programme.

    Police in Tel Aviv said on Tuesday that none of the women who made the allegations in a broadcast Sunday had lodged an official complaint against the 67-year-old.

    The women were not identified in the broadcast.

    Grant who also formerly coached Israel’s national team said afterwards that he had several relationships with women over the years but never intended to make a woman feel uncomfortable or hurt her.

    “If a woman had felt that way, I am sorry. I apologise.”

    Football’s ruling body FIFA said on Monday it was also looking into the allegations against Grant who recently coached a FIFA Legends team at the Arab Cup.

    “Given the nature of the allegations being made, FIFA’s Ethics Committee will look into the matter.

    “When it comes to misconduct and abuse in football, we wish to reiterate that FIFA takes any allegations reported to it very seriously,” FIFA said.

  • Lampard opens up on Avram Grant’s return to Chelsea

    Lampard opens up on Avram Grant’s return to Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has reacted to reports linking Avram Grant with a return to Stamford Bridge.

    The Israeli managed Chelsea and Lampard for one season after replacing Jose Mourinho in September 2007.

    Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, is said to be considering bringing the 65-year-old back to the Blues to support Lampard.

    Speaking on the development, Lampard was quoted by Metro UK as saying ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Fulham on Saturday evening: “I don’t know anything about it, so I prefer not to go any further with it.

    “But in terms of football clubs now, they are huge businesses, a lot of people are employed.

    “I remember being here with Jose Mourinho when he won back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006.

    “So I don’t want to hang on exactly what it means because in a modern football club there are different roles for different people up and down the club.

    “Sometimes, a great line of communication to your board or an experienced person can be a great thing.

    “But the most important thing for me always regarding personnel is that the team works together. The team, the club, the staff, that’s the biggest thing.”

  • Avram Grant denies Chelsea return claims

    Avram Grant denies Chelsea return claims

    Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant insists he hasn’t heard from anyone at the club.

    Grant has posted a video on his Instagram page relating to recent stories linking him with a return to Stamford Bridge.

    “I read the links in the media connecting me with a return to Chelsea and I had so many positive messages from Chelsea fans on Instagram. Thank you.

    “But I must say I didn’t receive any official approach from the club. I can only repeat what I said lately about the situation at Chelsea. Be strong, look for a solution and what everybody needs now is time. It is good for Frank, I believe that he will do the job well, and it’s good for the club.”

  • Lampard has a good brain for football – Avram Grant

    Lampard has a good brain for football – Avram Grant

    Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant is convinced by the quality of manager Frank Lampard.

    Grant believes Lampard is set to achieve big things.

    He told The National: “Frank will be a very good manager – now he is a good manager – but with experience because he’s an intelligent guy.

    “He has a good brain for football, he knows the game and he’s played under a lot of coaches, [and] each one gave him a different perspective.

    “Even though people say he is young, he didn’t start immediately in Chelsea – he with Derby for a year. He did a good job and last year, with the transfer ban, it was a good experience for him.

    “You see the results now, what Chelsea have done this year. They did a very good job in the transfer window, and no doubt they will fight for the championship. I’m sure of this.”