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BBC man returns to Pompey

I have been away from my computer for a few hours and not looked as sky sports news, nor can I get The Pompey Site to work, so I do not know how 'official' this is, but according to The News, sky sports, the BBC and everywhere else Avram Grant has returned to Pompey.

Grant, known as the BBC - bibs, balls and cones - man during his technical director spell back along, was appointed 'at a press conference at Fratton Park this afternoon' as our new director of football.

I do not think this is a bad thing, but must admit if I was Paul Hart I would be shifting a little uncomfortably in my Fratton hot seat as I maintain my thoughts on 'directors of football', especially those that really do want to be a manager, that they are in the background waiting to pounce!

To be fair I still feel that Grant did a better job with us last time than he was often credited with, and also feel he did a decent job at Chelski - then again he should have with the talent he had - but always knew it was only a matter of time before he took the managers job at Stamford Bridge so suspect the same can be said of his return to Pompey...

Welcome back Avram, lets just hope that the board do not start to get those fingers twitching too soon in-light of this re-appointment.

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Writer: pompeyrug

Date:Wednesday October 7 2009

Time: 2:40PM

Your Comments

Rug; even wobbly chops admitted what a good job he did for us, so i'm chuffed to bits by this news.

pentonpompey

This is a good move, I don't think it's a threat to PH but it will help him.

Lemmi

Agree with Rug. The point here it's a big marker of intent. A biggish name that can add some weight to our position going forward.

storagematt

Do you think PH was asked if wanted Grant?

wellyit

altho jamie's dad didnt admit this until he left did he - the 'concerns he had' were removed them... to make it clear tho, i am not saying it is a bad thing, but think - as matt says - it lays down a marker of intent.
hopefully this helps hart rather than hinders him, it would also be good to see grant do some work with the media to remove that pressure from hart, who hopefully can now bring in the no.2 he wants - if gary mac was that man lets ensure the 'issues' that we had are no longer issues...

pompeyrug

I think that this is a wise decision, Avram has a lot of premier league experience under his belt now and has worked with some of the best, I think he will be a handy man for Paul Hart to have around, and it shows that Al Faraj is thinking seriously about the infrastructure, which is exactly what needed to occur, Welcome back Avi....PUP

NZ_Portsmuff

tbh I've never really known what a DOF does - except to cause aggro with the manager.

PFCblue

Was impressed with AG when on the sofa at Sky last season (missed him last Sunday), he spoke a lot of sense about building a club/team as a long term thing, needing time etc. Well this is the perfect opportunity. PUP.

NorfolknBlue

OK, like this appointment on the surface, however I just panic whenever I hear this term. Just think of Dennis Wise, Daniel Comolli, Sven....

dave.jolley81

Good to see race relations are at a high within the club. Where else are there Saudi's and Israeli's in a business' hierarchy? Most of all it shows that we're adding some structure back to the club. Just make sure stadium plans are known before the end of the year.

stillthewhizz

This is fantastic news and the first real sign that we're on the road to recovery and stability. Grant is just the " no nonsense " type we need. Great move. Wow, what a difference a couple of days makes eh !? - now let's go out and spank the spuds and show all the doubters out there that we're back ! PUP

Toronto4Pompey

Too true Toronto, down with the mighty spurs, lets cause a huge upset!!! PUP

NZ_Portsmuff

Penton...as I recall it, having Grant around used to make Jamie's dad nervous as all hell...he only began publicly praising him once he'd moved on to Chelsea. Hopefully this means that no matter what, Mr. "We're only Pompey" won't be welcomed back at any point !

Toronto4Pompey

I think there is an element of both, Wobbly chops is on record as having praised him before he moved, true he did bleat more when he'd gone though!

pentonpompey

I thought he had a glint in his eye when asked his opinions on Pompey on Chris Kamara's show on Sunday!

Squee

stillthewhizz - maybe Mark Jacob brought him for backup!

Squee

Grant to replace Hart by Christmas, in my book! You can bet your bottom dollar he won't have been happy not getting a manager's job since leaving us (Chelsea), and I reckon he's got his eye on the big job, to be honest.

daspecial1

daspecial1 - I agree I think it's a backup job should we be struggling come January.

stillthewhizz

This is a positive news, even though I have reservations about the DOF role, Grant's experience and knowledge will be great to have around the club again. But let's get in a no.2 for PH who has a bit of charisma!!!

tracyc

Good. Avram has, since he was at Chelsea at least, bettered his reputation and instead of clubs saying "Who?!" they at least know who he is! Hopefully this will settle the players down and apparently Jamo has welcomed this with big wide open arms. more relief than anything for him I suspect, but a good appointment and one that I think will benefit us in the long run (i.e. Hart out Avram in!)

PFCGino

As The Rabbi I'm delighted that Grant is now part of the set up at Fratton park. He'll be in charge soon.

The Rabbi

It's a wise and unsurprising decision, I am not convinced Hart is up to the job yet but it's unfair that he is so overloaded. The owners are far away so will want an experienced man at the helm. I watched Grant do some player coaching during his first stint with us and he seemed technically and motivationally involved and not the sour miserable tw@ I first thought he was. Hart will be nervous as he will now have to justify his decision making which is no bad thing. It's a good thing for the club and I hope a H& G partnership helps us climb the league table

russellm

Good point about Gary Mac Rug but I think he would want more say over what happened; I noted that when Hart said we can't agree on anything Mac didn't disagree.

russellm

Just what we need E X P E R I E N C E!! Someone to help Harty and bounce ideas around. The other members of his staff have always been his juniors and now he has a man at least his equal.

eastneydave

1. a short while back just before the alf takeover, whilst uncle peter was with our current owners consortium AG was quoted as aying he was coming back..he was also very coy on an appeareance on the goals on sunday show at the time. I suspect this has been on the cards for a while. 2. Avram will support the purchase of forreign players.. i suspect we will be bringing on lots of young african south american players very soon-mark my words... a good day. Gary Mac or AN other will sign within the week as Asst Mananger. my suggestions are as follows Gary Mac, steve cotterill,Linvoy primus, or outsider of outsiders...dean windass

plymouth graham

I like the appointment of Avram Grant. He is very expierenced and would add some strength to the club. I see PH staying in his role of manager for now and I think he will benifit from Grant.

race

I can see Gary Mac being approached again, him or someone else who has experience, much as we love him, it won't be linvoy

paultsmouth

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