By IANS
London : English Premier League club Chelsea have confirmed Thursday that Avram Grant has replaced Jose Mourinho as the new manager at Stamford Bridge.
The 52-year-old Israeli, who was the club’s director of football, will take charge alongside Steve Clarke. The duo’s first challenge comes Sunday when Chelsea travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
“The club is delighted in Avram we have an experienced man who can come in at a difficult time,” said a club statement.
Mourinho is reported to have spent time saying goodbye to players at the club’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey. The Portuguese former manager was seen driving away shortly before the statement confirmed his successors.
The statement added: “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.”
Grant is due to be revealed at a news conference Friday afternoon and it is understood that his appointment is for the foreseeable future.
Grant is a close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and his summer arrival at the club met with stiff opposition from Mourinho, who told the Israeli not to interfere with team affairs. Grant’s position was strengthened with a seat on the board.
Before joining Chelsea, Grant had worked as director of football at Portsmouth, having earlier guided Israel to the brink of World Cup qualification in 2006. He has also coached Israeli clubs Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Maccabi Haifa.