Avram Grant - The Gentle Soul Bigger Than Himself

Frank Acheampong, John Boye and Jordan Ayew nailed Mozambique on Thursday March 24 at the Accra Sports Stadium in an AFCON 2017 qualifier, clearing the path further for yet another Africa Cup campaign next year.

It was not a victory over Egypt, Nigeria or Cote d’Ivoire, but it was a win over Mozambique — a side who have felt the ambience of Africa Cup of nations four times, a side whose best place finish in the continent’s flagship football competition is the first round, and a side ranked 100th in the FIFA Coca-Cola rankings.

But on the touchline, Avram Grant shouted ‘yes!’ within. “I have just gotten the perfect ammunition to strike back at these dullards.”

And he didn’t miss the opportunity to throw the punch at the perfect ground. With a grin, the Israeli told Ghanaians to concentrate on football and not the bulls**it at the post-match press conference.

Where else would have been the perfect avenue to tell Ghanaians I need your 50,000 dollars but I don’t care what you say.

Where else would have been the perfect avenue for Avram Grant to tell Ghanaians they don’t know what they are talking about? And where else would have been the perfect avenue for Avram Grant to remind Ghanaians that I am bigger than your country?

He took his opportunity without mincing words. Ghanaians called for the earth to break lose, but some members of the Ghana FA said it is ‘normal’ in his culture. It is preposterous and crass.

What is more bullshit than giving your employer three weeks and he spends almost 100 days? What is bullshit than earning more than the president of the land sit on TV taking about the potential next Chelsea manager at the expense of what your employers want from you?

I would like to work at Avram Grant’s company where his workers overstay their leave, but still earn their salary and come back for a beautiful smile.

I would like to work at Grant’s company where I will deliver my first assignment on my return, and tell him to concentrate on my work and not the “bullshit”.

And I would like to work in Grant’s company where I will be coaxed to apologize and I will withdraw my comments without apologizing and also rephrase my earlier comments — replacing bullshit with ‘unnecessary things.’

What are the unnecessary things?

Hello Mr Grant, I know you’re aware, but this is just a reminder, Milovan Rajevac managed the local Black Stars and led them to the final of of the inaugural CHAN competition, Milovan Rajevac managed a depleted Black Stars squad at AFCON 2010 in Angola, and Ghana were in the final, Milovan Rajevac led Ghana to the first ever World Cup on Africa soil, and Ghana were ranked the 5th best country in the tournament.

But he was never a demigod, he brought the current players you can’t replace, but he was never our messiah. And never said he was.

You played in the  finals of the most prestigious club football in Europe, and no one disputes that, but after that, you were in Thailand. You lobbied for the job to return to the limelight of football management and if you feel you’re big, you are only bigger than yourself.

Avram Grant - The Gentle Soul Bigger Than Himself