While every manager and coach in almost every sport is hired to be fired at some point, it was so refreshing to a hear a fellow manager speak our very loudly, in support of West Ham United’s Avram Grant. He took over a weak team this season, and because they are still trying to climb out of the relegation zone, the fans are upset and growing more impatient. The owners of the team, according to ESPNsoccernet, were about to hire Martin O’Neill and dismiss the former Chelsea and Portsmouth bench boss last week,but O’Neill decided against taking the job. Grant,who I have never met, doesn’t get much support in the media, and many journalists mention his less than upbeat or outgoing personality,as something they don’t really care for. That may be a reason why there is hardly ever a sympathetic or supportive perspective that is written about him. With that in mind, David Moyes, the Everton manager, ahead of his game against West Ham at Goodison Park this past Saturday, ( a 2-2 final, with a tying goal in the 90th minute for Everton) finally put a proper and accurate perspective on the accomplishments of the Israeli.
“Avram got to the Champions League final ( Chelsea- May 2008, losing on penalty kicks to Manchester United ), he has managed top players, he has managed a team that didn’t have any money and got them to the FA Cup final ( Portsmouth- lost the Cup final to Chelsea at Wembley Stadium last May ). – I think you are talking about someone who has certainly got the attributes as a manager. Not all managers are going to win every year, so that’s going to mean some are in the spotlight. Unfortunately it has been Avram for most of the year but you can’t say he has not handled himself with complete class. Maybe the people around him haven’t done that. He has been dignified as a manger but he has also gone about his job and tried to get the best he can. I’m sure it is never easy if you are picking up papers or hearing you are about to go. If I don’t win games, I’m no different to anyone else but I hope I’d be treated in a fair and dignified manner………….I wouldn’t like to be treated that way- but I wouldn’t expect my chairman to treat me that way. I have got a chairman who I think would do things correctly………..”
Grant’s work in the past, with both Chelsea and Portsmouth, tends to get overlooked by many in the soccer media, perhaps because he is not out-going or is very reserved. That shouldn’t be a reason why no one seems to ever acknowledge his impressive resume, without being dismissive of his achievements, as though they were strictly coincidental, with him not receiving any credit,where it was due. When the recognition come from a fellow manager, it really means something special, and provides a picture of just how much respect he has with his peers,which of course is the highest measure of regard one can have, in any line of work. Good for Grant, because this has been long overdue, and big time props for David Moyes, for having the intestinal fortitude to tell it like it is !!!