Showing posts with label avram grant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label avram grant. Show all posts

Thursday, 8 September 2016

Black Stars Job Most Challenging of All - Grant

Black Stars head coach, Avram Grant has admitted coaching the senior national team of Ghana is the toughest challenge of his coaching life.


The Israeli trainer has had stints with English Premier League clubs – Chelsea and Portsmouth and his native Israel’s national team.


Grant, who’s in the final year of his 18-month contract with Ghana said, coaching the four-time Africa Cup of Nations champions has been the most difficult task of his life.


“I wanted to come to Africa and coach a team as I knew the continent has enormous football talents,” he told the media before Ghana’s last AFCON 2017 qualifier match against Rwanda.


“With this pool of talent, I found it difficult to understand why no African country has made it beyond the Quarter finals of a world cup.


“And this got me to accept the Black Stars challenge and hope to make history with Ghana if we qualify to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup,” he added.




Black Stars Job Most Challenging of All - Grant

Wednesday, 7 September 2016

Grant Unperturbed By Contract Talks

Ghana Black Stars head coach, Avram Grant has mentioned he’s less worried about being offered a new deal as his current two-year deal ends in January 2017.


The former English Premier League side, Chelsea gaffer, led Ghana to the final of the Afcon in 2015 where they lost to West African neighbours, Ivory Coast in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.


The Ghana Football Association (GFA) are yet to open negotiations with the Israeli head coach and Grant, who is hoping to repeat the AFCON 2015 feat and hopefully, win a gold medal in Gabon 2017, as well as lead Ghana to a historic semi final world cup berth, is apparently not worried about whether or not he would be offered a new deal.


 

Speaking to the media before the Black Stars’ day 3 training session, the soft-spoken Grant said; “I hope to qualify Ghana to the World cup in Russia 2018 and that is one thing I want very much.


“My current contract ends in January next year (2017), there are lots of things I am happy with since I became head coach of Ghana and hope the people also feel happy with me at the helm of affairs.


 


 

“But I am not concentrated on being offered a new deal as the World Cup qualifying matches ahead (in October) as well as the Africa Cup of Nations tournament are very important to me as well as leading the team to AFCON success.”


Avram Grant watched on as his Black Stars lost by a lone goal to World Cup 2018 host, Russia, in an international friendly match on Tuesday night.




Grant Unperturbed By Contract Talks

Thursday, 1 September 2016

Afcon Qualifier: Grant Decries Off-The-Pitch Distractions

Coach of the Black Stars, Avram Grant has shared his thoughts on the preparation of his team ahead of the last Group H Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Amavubi of Rwanda of which he thinks has not been ideal.


 


Prior to the game on Saturday, most of the players had to purchase their ticket in order to honour the match, with Dede Ayew purchasing them for those who could not afford.


In an interview with the press before their training session, Grant said; “to be honest to you, I didn’t like the part that the players had to pay their ticket, and I think everything has to be organised.


“But for me, I am well organized because I started my preparations long ago…, thus how we train and what we need to do.


He added; “I didn’t like the preparation ahead of the game which I think is not ideal, but I like the spirit of the players on the pitch, both off and on the field.


“But nonetheless, we would take the best from these and I believe they would be ready for the game on Saturday.”


Meanwhile, all 23 players have arrived [for the third day of training] but captain, Asamoah Gyan, will not train.



Afcon Qualifier: Grant Decries Off-The-Pitch Distractions

Monday, 29 August 2016

Afcon Qualifiers: Dede To Be Part Of Black Stars

Ghana Black Stars deputy captain and uniBank (Ghana) Limited’s brand ambassador, Dede Ayew, has confirmed in an interview with Sportscrusader.com that he will be part of the Black Stars contingent in Accra for Ghana’s last AFCON 2017 qualifier vs Rwanda.


The West Ham United record signing picked up an injury during his debut game against Chelsea.


But the uniBank brand ambassador, whose level of patriotism, has never been in doubt, will be flying to Ghana to offer morale support to the team as they vie to complete the qualifiers with a 100% record.


 

The Hammers have failed to reveal the date for his comeback, despite having confirmed Dede will not need surgery to heal the injury.




Afcon Qualifiers: Dede To Be Part Of Black Stars

Monday, 13 June 2016

Grant Laments State Of Ghana Pitches


Avram Grant has decried the state of pitches used for Ghana Premier League (GPL) matches.



The Israeli trainer has been monitoring the the 2015-16 GPL season since the third week, and he reckon the quality of pitches used hasn’t helped the course of teams and some brilliant individual players.


“The season has been good for some teams and players have shown a lot of determination,” Grant said in an interview with Nhyira FM.


“I have watched about 20 matches in league and I think there is a lot of passion and determination from the players but I think some pitches are bad and they need to work on them.



“…If the pitches are good the level of play will improve, but i think i enjoy more from the passion of the players in the league,” he said.



The GPL is on three weeks break and will resume on June 25.



Grant Laments State Of Ghana Pitches

Monday, 6 June 2016

Grant Praises Black Stars


Avram Grant has hailed the stupendous performance of the Black Stars for their 2-0 win over Mauritius on Sunday.



The four times Africa champions laboured for 70 minutes before finding their way through the back line courtesy of Andre Ayew and Christian Atsu to seal qualification to the continent’s flagship football competition scheduled for Gabon next year.


 And Avram Grant stated that he was happy with the performance of the Black Stars and hopes they would repeat it in subsequent games.


“It was a one sided game. We dominated play and created a lot of chances, so I am hoping we continue to play like this. I am happy for the results,” Avram Grant said after the game.


The Back Stars thrashed the Mauritians 7-1 in the first leg played in Accra last year.


Avram Grant has been tasked by the Ghana Football Association to win the 2017 African Cup of Nations to be staged in Gabon in January, 2017.






Grant Praises Black Stars

Thursday, 2 June 2016

Gyan Is Unlucky With Injuries - Grant

Avram Grant says skipper of the Black Stars Asamoah Gyan is unlucky with injuries.


The 30-year-old has been ruled out for this month’s Afcon 2017 qualifier against Mauritius due to a thigh injury he suffered at his club side, Shanghai SIPG.


The former Rennes striker was absent from the national team international assignment two months ago against Mozambique in a twin qualifier.


Avram Grant is worried with his injuries and hopes he returns to the team soon.


“Asamoah has been unlucky with injuries in recent times but I hope he is back very soon,” Avram Grant after the Black Stars final training session on Thursday.


The former Chelsea manager also noted that Andre Ayew is good replace for Gyan.


“In his absence Ayew is the captain, and he is doing a good job, and this is not the first time he is doing that.” He noted.


Asamoah Gyan is Ghana’s all time leading goalscorer with 48 goals.



Gyan Is Unlucky With Injuries - Grant

Friday, 27 May 2016

Avram Grant To Arrive In Ghana Soon

Avram Grant, head coach of the senior national team, Black Stars will return to Ghana this weekend to prepare for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Mauritius.


The Israeli left the country early last month after the Ghana Football Association (GFA) granted him the permission to continue with his monitoring programme in Europe for the later part of the European season.


The former Chelsea manager was expected to spend ‘few weeks’ monitoring players outside Ghana whilst his assistant coach, Maxwell Konadu monitors the local league for other talents.


The pair have invited 23 players — three of which are from the domestic scene who are expected to start non-residential camping today, and begin training on Monday.


Avram Grant, per the GFA statement released last month, will not be monitoring players abroad after the qualifier against Mauritius.


“Mr Grant will focus on monitoring the local league for new talents while supporting the activities of the other national teams on his return,” a portion last month’s statement read.


Ghana need a point in the next two matches to book a ticket to Gabon for the continent’s fiesta.










Avram Grant To Arrive In Ghana Soon

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Maxwell Konadu Names 25-Man Black Stars Squad

Twenty-five (25) players have been invited to the home-based Black Stars camp on Monday April 25 as they prepare to travel to Japan for an international friendly game.

Coach Maxwell Konadu’s side have been invited to face the Japanese National Under-23 side in an international friendly which has been scheduled for Wednesday May 11.

Six players have been selected from current Premier League leaders Wa All Stars with Inter Allies and Ashantigold providing three players each.

All invited players are expected to arrive at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, Prampram at 4pm on Monday.

Below are the players who are expected to report to the Home-based Black Stars camp in Prampram:
GOAL KEEPERS

1. RICHARD OFORI – WA ALL STARS

2. ROBERT DABOU – ASHANTIGOLD

3. MUNTARI TAGOE – MEDEAMA


DEFENDERS

4. HAFIZ ADAMS – WA ALL STARS

5. AMOS FRIMPONG – ASANTE KOTOKO

6. ABDUL BASHIRU – DREAMS FC

7. DANIEL DARKWAH – ADUANA STARS

8. KADRI MOHAMMED – ASHANTIGOLD

9. ABDUL GANIYU – WA ALL STARS

10. AHMED ADAMS – ASANTE KOTOKO

11. NICHOLAS OPOKU – BEREKUM CHELSEA


MIDFIELDERS

12. GOCKEL AHORTOR – INTER ALLIES

13. ISAAC TWUM – INTER ALLIES

14. ERIC KWAKWA – MEDEAMA

15. KWEKU ASUANDZIE – WA ALL STARS

16. SABHAN LARYEA – HEARTS OF OAK

17. LATIF BLESSING – LIBERTY PROFESSIONALS

18. EMMANUEL OCRAN – WA ALL STARS

19. SAMUEL TETTEH – WAFA

20. EVANS MENSAH – INTER ALLIES

21. EMMANUEL OSEI BAFOUR – ASHANTIGOLD


ATTACKERS

22. SADICK ADAMS – BEREKUM CHELSEA

23. RICHARD ARTHUR – WA ALL STARS

24. MUSAH IBRAHIM


25. LAWSON BEKUI – DREAMS FC



Maxwell Konadu Names 25-Man Black Stars Squad

Saturday, 9 April 2016

Ghanaian Media Afraid Of Grant - GFA Veep

Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie claims the Ghanaian media is afraid of Black Stars Coach, Avram Grant.


According to the management committee chairman of the senior national team, the media should rather ask the Israeli specific questions and not questions about him him.


“The media cannot even ask him why he was out of the country for three months and what he was doing while he was away,” George Afriyie told Accra based Onua FM.


“But they will come and ask me those questions. Are they afraid of him?


“Media personnel at the recent Ghana Black Stars post-match interview in Accra, could not ask him what he has been doing to advance football in the country.


“They can’t ask him any question, but rather, they keep on asking me the Vice President of the GFA about the squad Avram Grant had invited to camp, meanwhile the coach was there,” be fumed.



Ghanaian Media Afraid Of Grant - GFA Veep

Friday, 8 April 2016

Grant Won"t Continue After Afcon 2017

Ghana coach Avram Grant has revealed that, he will not be available for the Black Stars coaching job after 2017 Africa Cup of nations.


His disclosure means the former West Ham United manager, will not extend his contract with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), after leading the senior national team to the continent’s flagship football event.


Grant, is already reported to be in the books of many European clubs and he is more interested in competition week in and out.


“The competitiveness and creativity in training everyday of the week is different.  There’s no doubt that I miss it,” Grant told Israeli radio station, 102 FM.


“My contract ends after the Africa Cup of Nations championship in Gabon early next year.


“Next year, at the end of my contract, it is possible I will coach a team in England.”


Avram Grant was appointed in December 2014 to succeed James Kwesi Appiah.



Grant Won"t Continue After Afcon 2017

Thursday, 7 April 2016

GFA Grants Avram Permission To Travel

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has approved Black Stars coach Avram Grant’s programme of monitoring players in Europe over the next few weeks.







Mr. Grant travelled to Europe last night – following the approval – to continue with his plans of making the senior national team stronger.


With most of the leagues in Europe drawing to a close, the next few weeks offer the perfect opportunity for the Black Stars coach to monitor some players on the periphery of the squad before the season ends.


It is important for the coach to monitor the some more Ghanaians players both at home and abroad to create competition and invigorate the Black Stars squad.


While Mr Grant is away, Black Stars assistant coach Maxwell Konadu will continue with the monitoring of the local league for the benefit of the technical team of the senior national team.


On his return to Ghana, Mr Grant will focus on monitoring the local league for new talents while supporting the activities of the other national teams.




GFA Grants Avram Permission To Travel

Monday, 4 April 2016

Opinion: Grant Right To Reject Cedis Bonus Payment

Coach Avram Grant has made the headlines lately in Ghana for the wrong reasons but his recent rejection of winning bonus payment in Ghana cedis has received my thumb of approval.


The Israeli indeed has not been a coach I’ve admired managing the Black Stars but that discussion will be for another day.

The Ghana Football Association rightly has been served the same meal they always allow Grant serve Ghanaians with his cocky and disrespectful act by rejecting the amount simply because it contradicts the contractual agreement.


 


The agreement between the GFA and Avram was that he will be paid whether winning bonus or salary in United State dollars so why the change now?


Yes the Ministry of Youth and Sports led by Nii Lantey Vanderpuye rightly said will pay the Black Stars and everyone involved winning bonuses in Ghana cedis and not dollars, as right as that might sound, the agreement between the GFA and the former Chelsea boss takes prominence over all, that Grant has to be paid in DOLLARS.




Opinion: Grant Right To Reject Cedis Bonus Payment

Sunday, 3 April 2016

Don"t Force Ghanaian Culture On Grant - Yankah

Western Regional Football Association (WRA) Chairman, Kojo Yankah has called on Ghanaians not to impose their culture on Black Stars Coach Avram Grant.


Grant, told Ghanaians to ‘concentrate on football and not the bullsh*t’ in a post match presser after Ghana’s 2017 AFCON qualifier with Mozambique in Accra last month.


The comments, according to most Ghanaians, was an ‘insult’ and called on his employers the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to call him to order.


The Israeli withdrew the ‘bullsh*t’ word but failed to apologize to Ghanaians because he didn’t it as an insult.


And Kojo Yankah has jumped to the defense of the Israeli, saying Ghanaians should not force him to kowtow to our culture.


“Ghanaians don’t have to force the coach to accept our culture, even though Avram Grant is being paid by Ghanaians, forcing him to accept our culture should be the last thing to do,” Mr Yankah said.


“When you go to Accra kids even make worse statement than this, but leaders do not reprimand them because it has been a normal thing, where he comes from has a whole lot of bearing on his way of life and Ghanaians should know that,” he added.


Kojo Yankah also believes that Avram Grant has what it takes to change the fortunes of Ghana football and must be given the license to work efficiently.


“Avram Grant, has the needed qualification to change the fortunes of this nation, he just needs time and trust from Ghanaians to work,” he stressed.




Don"t Force Ghanaian Culture On Grant - Yankah

Saturday, 2 April 2016

Avram Yet To Receive Bonus

Sports crusader can confirm that Black Stars head coach Avram Grant is yet to receive his bonus for leading the Black Stars to victory over Comoros.


Ghana defeated Comoros 2-0 on aggregate to cruise to the next round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.


The Ministry of Ghana were unable to pay bonuses due the playing body and the technical team.


The bonuses were settled prior to the team’s Afcon 2017 twin qualifier against Mozambique, but Avram Grant is yet to receive his.


It is unclear why the Israeli’s money was not paid.




Avram Yet To Receive Bonus

Avram Grant Rejected Ghana Cedis...

The Ministry of Youth and Sports is yet to pay Black Stars coach Avram Grant, his winning bonus for leading the team to beat Comoros.


The former Chelsea manager led the senior national team to the second phase of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers with 2-0 aggregate victory over Comoros in Kumasi.


The Sports Ministry was unable to pay the team their winning bonuses due to financial difficulties.


They paid the playing and some members of the technical team, their bonuses prior to the 2017 Africa Cup of nations qualifier against Mozambique, but Grant did not receive his.


According to sportscrusader.com sources, Grant rejected his bonus when it was presented to him in local currency (Ghana Cedis).


The Israeli trainer insisted on receiving his money in United States dollars, but the sports ministry refused to adhere to his request.




Avram Grant Rejected Ghana Cedis...

Grant Sets Sight on AFCON 2017

A draw in either of Ghana’s next AFCON 2017 qualifiers will ensure the country a place in Gabon, but Avram Grant already have sights in the host country.


Grant, was given a 217-month barely a month to the 2015 Africa Cup of nations. His employers gave the target to ‘do well’ in Equatorial Guinea and win the subsequent tournament.


The former Chelsea manager led the four -time Africa champions to the final, and is looking forward to achieving the target given to him by his employers in 2017.


“I’m thinking about this and thinking even more than this. I will make Ghana strong, strong and strong. I will have a meeting with the people in charge and we will talk about things we can do better because we need to show things in African Cup. I hope and am sure we will qualify,” Avram revealed in an interview with the Ghana FA Communications Division.


“So in this case, we want to show again the last time. Quality teams, strong team mentality and strong team physically for this. I think we showed that in the last time by pushing the button. It is a lot of work off the pitch. If we do the right thing, I think we can have a good tournament,” he added.


Ghana sit top of Group H with 10 points, and a draw against either Mauritius and Rwanda will book Ghana a ticket to the continent’s flagship football competition.




Grant Sets Sight on AFCON 2017

Thursday, 31 March 2016

Avram Grant Got To Be Tolerant - De-Graft Johnson

Former Sekondi Hasacaas coach, Joseph De-Graft Johnson has called on Ghana Black Stars coach, Avram Grant to learn how to be tolerant with criticisms from Ghanaians.


Grant who has had stints with English Premier League sides, Chelsea and Portsmouth has found life in managing Ghana a tough task to handle as he continually battles the Ghanaian media who have criticized his tactics and team selections.


Mozambique held the Black Stars to a goalless drawn game at the Estadio do Zimpeto in an African Cup of nations qualifier for Gabon 2017 and this got the media question why Ghana will fail to do the double over the minnows and this got the Israeli furious and he used the ‘bulls**t’ word to refer to the media and Ghanaians as a whole.


Johnson who knows how vocal and passionate football fans can be has offered advise to the ex-Chelsea boss saying, “Ghanaians are not talking too much, they can talk as much as they like in this democratic world and this is the beauty of the ‘beautiful game – football’.


Ghanaians should be allowed to share their opinion and that comes along with the package of a national team head coach.”


“You (as a coach) must be able to absorb a lot of varied opinions as a coach as long as it is not derogatory but in the end your opinion (performance on the team) matters,” he added.




Avram Grant Got To Be Tolerant - De-Graft Johnson

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

Grant"s Bull S**t Is Aimed At His Employers

Football administrator, Abbey Pobee has mentioned that Black Stars head coach, Avram Grant’s Bull s**t comment is aimed at his employers and not Ghana has a whole.


The Former Chelsea boss has come under immense pressure with his post match interview after Ghana drew goalless with Mozambique in the reverse fixture of the Group G African Cup of Nations qualifier clash in Maputo.


Grant in his post presser conference said, “If this nation will concentrate on football and not the bull***t, and just the football. Because there is a lot of passion, we can reach higher, high level. It is a long term target, but it’s achievable”.


But Pobee who is noted for his tough-talking and firm position on issues in an interview with Sportscrusader.com said the provocative language used by the Israeli is not aimed at the Ghanaians as it has been reported but rather at his employers – herein according to Mr. Pobee is the Ministry of Youth and Sports.


He said, “who between the Ghana Football Association and Ministry of Youth and Sports employed Avram Grant?. The body that did is at the receiving end of his ‘bull s**t comment.”


“Grant’s comment is a slur on the administrators of the game who looked on idle as he spent a lot of time away from his managerial post but gets paid at the end of every month,” he added.




Grant"s Bull S**t Is Aimed At His Employers