• Premier League

West Ham 'committed to retaining Avram Grant'

ESPNsoccernet staff
January 18, 2011
Avram Grant has always had the support of talisman Scott Parker © PA Photos
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West Ham have issued an official statement to underline they are "committed to retaining" Avram Grant's services as manager, despite intense speculation regarding his future.

It emerged on Monday night that the club's attempts to lure former Aston Villa and Celtic manager Martin O'Neill to Upton Park had fallen through, leading the Hammers to publicly back Grant on Tuesday morning.

Grant's success in retaining his job comes as some surprise as the Israeli was widely expected to be sacked by the club, with some reports on Saturday even suggesting he would lose his job irrespective of the result of the club's game against Arsenal, which finished in a 3-0 win for the Gunners.

But ESPNsoccernet reported no decision had been taken over Grant's future and now the Israeli has been given a mandate to try and drag the club away from the relegation zone.

West Ham confirmed Grant would remain in his position after refuting allegations in Tuesday's press relating to vice-chairman Karren Brady.

"West Ham United categorically deny the allegations made in today's Daily Mirror with regard to Karren Brady, the club's vice-chairman," read a club statement.

"Karren has worked tirelessly to improve all aspects of the club's operation and is extremely disappointed by the nature of these unfounded allegations. West Ham fully intend to identify the source of these unhelpful and untrue comments and remove them from the club. West Ham have placed the matter immediately in the hands of their lawyers.

"The club are committed to retaining Avram Grant as manager and have identified potential transfer targets to give us the best possible chance of retaining Premier League status."

West Ham are currently bottom of the Premier League after taking 20 points from 23 games. The Hammers appointed Grant as Gianfranco Zola's replacement in the summer.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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