Chelsea new boss profile: Avram Grant

Born:	May 6, 1955
Birthplace:	Petah Tikva, Israel
Previous Clubs:	Petah Tikva; Hapoel Haifa; Maccabi Tel Aviv; Maccabi Haifa; Israel; Portsmouth
Honours:	Israeli Premier League: 1992, 1995, 2001, 2002

Grant was thrown into the spotlight at big-spending Chelsea in September 2007, after the club decided to part company with the controversial Jose Mourinho.

A 1-1 draw against lowly Rosenborg in the Champions League sealed the Portuguese's fate and Grant, who had arrived at Stamford Bridge from Portsmouth in the summer, took over as boss.

Born in Israel in 1955, Grant began his coaching career at the age of 19 having never played the game professionally.

He won the youth championship with Hapoel Petach Tikva and was then appointed to coach the senior team, becoming the youngest ever manager in the Israeli top division.

Grant then moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv, guiding the club to a first league title in 13 years, before taking over at the helm of Israel's glamour club, Maccabi Haifa, where he won two championships.

The national team subsequently beckoned and Grant entered the history books as Israel's youngest manager.

His record split opinion, however, as Israel failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup despite remaining unbeaten in a group with the Republic of Ireland, France and Switzerland.

He resigned in November 2005 because of the Israeli FA's reluctance to open contract talks.

In August 2006 he was appointed technical director at Portsmouth, after the takeover at Fratton Park by Arkady Gaydamak, the owner of Beitar Jerusalem.

Grant must have done something right, as he was courted by Chelsea over the summer and was eventually given a place on the board, as well as the title 'Director of Football' at Stamford Bridge.

It was reported at the time that Gaydamak had allowed him to move as a 'favour' to Abramovich, and that his arrival was targeted at getting the best out of £30million flop Andriy Shevchenko.

His arrival prompted rumours surrounding the position of Jose Mourinho, but the club initially played down his role, saying:

'Grant will be responsible for liaison on, and co-ordination of, football matters across the various areas of Chelsea FC. He will also sit on the football club board and report to chief executive Peter Kenyon.

'His experience and knowledge will play an important role in the formulation of overall football policy with Kenyon, manager and first team coach Jose Mourinho and director of youth development and scouting Frank Arnesen.'

However, after a poor start to the Premier League season, losing to Aston Villa and drawing with Blackburn, Grant was surprisingly given the job three days ahead of the Manchester United match.

A club statement read: 'Chelsea can confirm that Avram Grant and Steve Clarke will be in charge of the first team from today (Thursday).

'The club is delighted that in Avram we have an experienced man who can come in immediately at this difficult time to help deliver our objectives.

'In Steve we have a Chelsea man and he will be a crucial part of the management team going forward. Avram and Steve have our full confidence and support.'

Maybe so, but in a team that expects nothing but success, both have a lot to do to live up to the standards set by Mourinho.

Source: Soccernet.com