Israeli coach who has been working without a contract for three months had a rough start but has since led Chelsea to a string of victories.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFavram grant 248 88 ap(photo credit: AP [file])
Chelsea has given Avraham Grant a four-year contract after his successful first three months as coach.
Grant took charge of the team in September, shifting from his role as director of soccer following the departure of Jose Mourinho.
He had been working without a contract, but Chelsea announced the new agreement Thursday. The former Israel coach lost his opening match at Manchester United, but has since guided the Blues to a 16-match unbeaten run that has lifted them to third in the Premier League and earned a place in the second round of the Champions League.
The 52-year-old Grant was expected to be a short-term appointment following the popular Mourinho¹s three years at the club, but, with the help of assistants Steve Clarke and Henk ten Cate, he has persuaded owner Roman Abramovich to retain him.
Chelsea looked to be struggling after it lost 2-0 at United. The 2005 and Œ06 English champions had just 11 points and two defeats from their first seven Premier League matches, and had eked out an uninspiring 1-1 home draw with Rosenborg in their Champions League opener.
But Grant, who had initially been hired to work alongside Mourinho, has since led the club to 12 wins and four draws, with 33 goals scored and just five conceded.
Chelsea is just three points behind leader Arsenal in the Premier League, and advanced to the next round of the Champions League as winner of its group.
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