25.11.2014 21:32 h

Grant due to take Ghana reins Thursday - federation

Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant will officially sign a contract to become the new Ghana coach on Thursday, the country's football federation (GFA) said Tuesday.

According to the GFA, "governmental agreement" was needed before the deal could be finalised to let the Israeli succeed the sacked Kwesi Appiah.

Grant held a string of management positions in his native Israel, including four years as coach of the national side.

He moved to English outfit Portsmouth as technical director in 2006 and then to Chelsea as director of football, taking over from Jose Mourinho as manager when the Portuguese was sacked in September 2007.

But his time at Stamford Bridge was short-lived and his contract was terminated at the end of the season, despite guiding the Blues to the runners-up spot in the Champions League and Premier League.

Following a return to Portsmouth, he quit and joined West Ham in 2010 but was sacked after the Hammers were relegated.

He went on to manage Serbian side Partizan Belgrade and will come to Ghana from Thai club BEC Tero Sasana in Bangkok, where he is currently technical director.

Despite this being his first managerial appointment on the continent, Grant has been entrusted with guiding Ghana's fortunes at the Africa Cup of Nations starting in January