Grant set to be unveiled as Hammers boss today

Avram Grant is expected to be named as West Ham’s new manager today.

The Hammers revealed yesterday afternoon they would announce Gianfranco Zola’s successor “within 24 hours” with co-chairman David Gold indicating Grant was the preferred choice.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, Blackpool boss Ian Holloway, Cardiff manager Dave Jones and Sam Allardyce of Blackburn had also been linked with the job.

“After an hour, we knew we could work with this manager. We are very optimistic,” Gold told BBC Sport.

“I think it’s time for the football club to get some stability with people that have been there, done that and got the T-shirt.

“The bottom line is the relationship between the manager and the chairman is critical.

“In our case it’s two chairmen (Gold and David Sullivan) so it’s even more difficult as you need to have a relationship between three people.”

Zola steered West Ham to safety on 35 points, enough to keep them one place above the relegation zone, but was sacked soon after.

Grant took Chelsea to the Champions League final in 2008 but was shown the door after the defeat by Manchester United.

The 55-year-old Israeli returned to the Premier League with Portsmouth last year, first as director of football and then as manager following the removal of Paul Hart.

His success in leading Portsmouth, who were subsequently placed into administration, to the FA Cup final amid horrendous financial constraints won universal approval.

Now West Ham view him as the man to usher in more harmonious times at Upton Park.

“We can’t put our fans through what happened again. We want to put together a team that was better than last year,” said Gold.

“We were very fortunate. Normally 35 points gets you relegated.

“What we need is a manager who has achieved, has experience. We are not in a position where we can take on young, inexperienced managers.”