Chelsea to Appoint West Ham Boss Avram Grant as Sporting Director

West Ham boss Avram Grant set for shock return to Chelsea if Guus Hiddink turns down sporting director job
The under pressure Hammers manager still speaks regularly to Blues owner Roman Abramovich and is the only other candidate if the Turkey boss rejects Stamford Bridge offer

Avram Grant will make a shock return to Chelsea as sporting director if Guus Hiddink turns the role down at the end of the season.

Goal.com understands Grant expects to lose his job as West Ham manager at the end of the season and has held regular conversations with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich about a return to Stamford Bridge.

Frank Arnesen, Chelsea’s current sporting director, is leaving for Hamburg in the summer, with Turkey coach Hiddink the club’s first choice as his replacement.

But the Dutchman, who managed the Blues for three months in 2009, is expected to stay in charge of Turkey if they keep alive their Euro 2012 hopes by avoiding defeat against qualification rivals Belgium on June 3. Even if he leaves Turkey, the 64-year-old will also give consideration to offers from Ajax and PSV.

Grant has had a close relationship with Abramovich for many years and was himself Blues boss for most of the 2007-08 season following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. According to sources familiar with the situation, Grant is the only alternative candidate after Hiddink and could be set for a return to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea To Make Move For Guus Hiddink As Football Director

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will bring Guus Hiddink back to the club this summer as the Director of Football.

The 64-year-old had a successful spell as caretaker manger of the West London club in 2009, bringing the FA Cup to Stamford Bridge.

The Dutchman is currently in charge of Turkey but are struggling to qualify for the Euro 2012 tournament.

Hiddink needs two wins in as many games to have a chance of progressing to the finals or we will be sacked.

“I’m trying to make a better Turkish national team,” the 64-year-old said.

“If I can’t do that, I’ll ask the chairman to sack me. Six points from these two games is vital.

“If we don’t get that I can offer my resignation to the chairman and then it’s up to him. It will mean that I am not a successful manager.”

Regardless of these results, Abramovich wants his old friend back at the club to replace the outgoing Sporting Director Frank Arnesen.

Hiddink would be in charge of player recruitment and devising a strategy for the academy.

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loading..., 10.0 out of 10 based on 1 rating Tagged Under: Chelsea FC, Frank Arnesen, guus hiddink, Roman Abramovich, turkey

US chiefs offer Marcelo Bielsa sporting director role

Former Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa has received an offer to take over the role of the sporting director in the US national team.

The US national team chief Sunil Gulati contacted the Argentine coach to send a formal proposal, as the federation want Bielsa to help United States climb to the forefront of the American football.

Bielsa would be responsible for working closely with coach Bob Bradley as well as be in charge of the various youth programs of the US Soccer Federation, based in Bradenton, Florida.

The national team spokesman, Neil Buethe confirmed that the federation is searching for a sporting director.

New York Cosmos Name Eric Cantona as Director of Soccer (Video)

by Mad Dog and Glory on January 19th, 2011 no comments

He’s back!

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Liverpool Appoint Damien Comolli as Director of Football Strategy

Liverpool have appointed Damien Comolli as their director of football strategy.
The 38-year-old Frenchman spent three years as director of football at Tottenham, where he signed the likes of Gareth Bale and Dimitar Berbatov.
He will begin work at Anfield alongside Reds owner John Henry and manager Roy Hodgson with immediate effect.
“I am delighted to be joining Liverpool and look forward to working with John and Roy,” said Comolli, who also spent seven seasons as a scout at Arsenal.
“I think we all realise there is a big job ahead, but we all share the vision that John has for rebuilding the club and bringing back the success that the supporters deserve.”
Hodgson, who succeeded Rafael Benitez last summer, stated: “I am looking forward to working with Damien whom I have known for many years.
“We are engaged in an exciting project here and he will bring a lot to the table. We all want to see moves to strengthen the squad and support player development over the next few years.
“John Henry and I are totally united in delivering on that ambition.” (BBC Sport)

First things first. One wonder what the post of “Director of Football Strategy” actually entails and secondly whether seasoned campaigner Roy Hodgson is really happy to see the former Tottenham employee at Anfield. Given the former Craven Cottage boss has managed across Europe he may well be used to having such an appointment thrust upon him but will it be for the good for the club as a whole?

Martin Jol has a few run-ins with Comolli during his White Hart Lane but that said the 38 year old Frenchman is clearly good at his job as he did bring a number of top young players to the north London club and Liverpool fans will be hopeful he can do likewise on Merseyside.

But seriously, can anyone enlighten us on the duties Mr. Comolli will be engaged in? Will he be following up on players that Hodgson likes the look of? Will it be the other way around? Does he have tactical input or are his dealing purely in the bringing in of new players?

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loading..., 10.0 out of 10 based on 2 ratings Tagged Under: damien comolli, liverpool fc, roy hodgson