Why underrated Avram Grant is the only choice to replace Paul Hart at Portsmouth - Martin Lipton's Tea-time Read
When you think about sacking a manager, you shouldn't do it unless you have a back-up plan.
Which makes Portsmouth's vacillating over what to do now Paul Hart has been shown the door even more stupid.
That Avram Grant is the only choice is not exactly rocket science.
After all, the list of managers who have taken English clubs to Champions League Finals does not fill a book. Fergie, of course, Rafa Benitez, Arsene Wenger. And Avram Grant.
You know, that Avram Grant, who allegedly didn't know what he was doing. Until he started winning game after game, even when the African Nations Cup robbed him of four key squad members.
The Avram Grant who couldn't win the big games. Until he beat Arsenal and United, and did what Jose could not do and knock Liverpool out of the Champions League.
The very same Avram Grant who couldn't make substitutions. Until he out-foxed Wenger at Stamford Bridge and out-thought Ferguson twice in a couple of weeks.
That Avram Grant.
Some are already claiming that Grant came in to Portsmouth to shaft Hart, that it was simply a matter of time.
It may well have been a matter of time before Hart went.
But if Grant was so involved in the back-stairs machinations, then why was he flying to Munich on Tuesday when Hart was being given the boot?
Don't you think he might have wanted to make sure he was at the training ground, preparing the players, especially as United are next up for the League's bottom side?
What is really ludicrous is that Grant was not contacted and offered the chance to take over until more than 24 hours after Hart was sacked.
Grant has all the attributes, experience and know-how Pompey need. And just ask Harry Redknapp if you don't trust me.
Redknapp admits he had his suspicions when Grant was appointed Director of Football above him at Portsmouth. But once he met the Israeli, talked to him and saw he was a genuine football man, those doubts disappeared and a genuine friendship grew.
Hart deserves some sympathy. He started the season with a team that was, without question, doomed for the drop.
But of the side that began the opening day defeat by Fulham, only three - Younes Kaboul, Marc Wilson and Hayden Mullins - were in the team that should have beaten Stoke on Sunday.
From a relegation side, Pompey are now a team that could, just, survive. To get the extra 10 per cent that might make it possible, Grant is the perfect choice. If they haven't hacked him off too much by keeping him waiting.
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