Embattled Grant vents, but still in charge at West Ham

“Why do you ask me this question? Where were these reports?,” said Grant, when asked about whether he expects to retain his job.

By ALLON SINAI
avraham grant 311 (photo credit: AP)
avraham grant 311
(photo credit: AP)
Avraham Grant remains manager of West Ham United as of Sunday night, but there seems to be little hope of the Israeli holding on to his job until his team’s next match at Everton on Saturday.
It was reported on Saturday morning that Grant would be sacked and replaced with Martin O’Neill regardless of the result of West Ham’s London derby against Arsenal, which ended in a 3-0 defeat.
However, there has yet to be any official announcement from West Ham’s board and Grant remains defiant.
“Why do you ask me this question? Where were these reports?,” said Grant, when asked about whether he expects to retain his job.
“You know who gave you the rumors. Ask the person, don’t ask me. When I will give you something, ask me.”
Grant guided the Hammers into the semifinals of the Carling Cup, where they beat Birmingham last Tuesday night to move within 90 minutes of Wembley. But his team has occupied the foot of the table for much of the past few months and is currently in last position with 20 points from 23 matches.
“The rumors of my future do not help,” he said. “On the day of a game especially, these rumors do not help. All I can focus on is the football and to try and get the best out of the players we have. I prefer football questions to these questions over my future.
“I cannot say about the rumors because I didn’t create the rumors. Ask this person. I get fed up answering the same question every week, every press conference. I expect to be in charge next week. Someone will have to tell me if this situation changes.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger voiced sympathy for Grant and said he believes the Israeli can handle the pressure.
“There is all this speculation about the job, it can unsettle because your words maybe have less power and your environment is a bit unsettled. It doesn’t help, that is for sure,” Wenger said. “I have big sympathy for Grant. I don’t think it affects him at all, but you don’t know how much it affects your environment.
“Our job is difficult enough not to put some more on your back. It’s difficult enough without problems of that sort.”