Grant reveals offers from other clubs

Pa
Friday 30 April 2010 17:17 BST
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Grant has steered Portsmouth to the FA Cup final
Grant has steered Portsmouth to the FA Cup final (epa)

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Portsmouth manager Avram Grant admits he has received offers to manage other clubs, as he prepares for his side's final Barclays Premier League home fixture against Wolves tomorrow.

Despite Pompey plunging into administration with debts of around £120million and suffering relegation to the Championship, the Israeli has led his threadbare and injury-affected squad into the FA Cup final.

This has prompted vocal calls among the Pompey faithful for Grant to stay as manager and try to lead the club back into the Premier League at the first attempt next season.

Grant, who has been linked with the manager's job at West Ham, admits he has had offers from elsewhere.

But he is keen to see what Pompey's immediate future holds as the club bids to find a new owner and exit administration without incurring a possible 17-point penalty for failing to do so via a company voluntary arrangement.

The former Chelsea boss said: "I must be honest and say there are other opportunities.

"But I did what I have done all my life. I didn't jump as soon as I could. I think a little more patience from me is good."

With Pompey docked nine points for going into administration and players sold without his say so, Grant has been running the team with one arm tied behind his back.

And the former Israel boss has no intention of going through another turbulent season at Fratton Park.

He said: "I stayed here because my heart told me to stay, but I don't want to have another season like this.

"It was very tough and I like to work in football and deal with football problems.

"Sometimes financial problems are part of the game. But when it's like this, it's not good for me and it's not good for the club.

"I'm waiting to see what will happen, but at the moment, it looks like it is going the right way. Let's wait and see."

Grant says he would like a clear indication of how much cash he will have to work with before committing to a club for next season.

He added: "For me as a manager, I need to come to the team before the season and say 'what's the budget for this season, can we spend this, can we spend that.'

"If the budget is £100 or £100million, it is the same. I can still build a good team if I know what's happening.

"The most dangerous thing is when you don't know what will happen and you don't know how much money you can spend or not spend."

Should Grant decide to walk away from Pompey in the summer, he would be keen to continue his career in the Premier League.

While a return to international management could be a possibility, the Israeli says he prefers the day-to-day challenges of running a club.

He said: "I love the Premier League very much. I love the atmosphere here and I love the people here.

"For the moment, I think this is the best league in the world. Personally, I would prefer to stay here.

"I was the coach of a national team for four years. Sometimes it's good, but not for more than two years.

"It was too much for me because you have a game every three months and then you don't have any contact with the pitch. You have to wait for the next game.

"The good thing is you know you represent the whole country and that country is behind you. But to be involved with a club is much more interesting."

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