Grant takes charge of Israel

Avraham Grant has been appointed the new coach of the Israel national team a month after Richard Møller Nielsen announced his decision to step down.

Four-year contract
Grant has agreed a four-year contract until the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany but his first task will be to guide Israel through the qualifying stages of EURO 2004™. He leaves Maccabi Haifa on a high after guiding them to the Ligat ha-Al title this season, their second championship in a row.

Freed by club
The 47-year-old was able to become the 21st coach of the Israeli national team after Haifa owner Ya'acov Schahar notified Israel Football Association chairman Gavri Levi that Grant was available. Levi had originally offered the job to Hapoel Tel-Aviv coach Dror Kashtan but a deal could not be agreed.

Team needs change
"Grant is very highly regarded and it is no secret that the national team needs an overall change," Levi said. The coach began his career at Hapoel Petach-Tikva, and in five seasons in charge led them to second place twice as well as two Toto Cup triumphs.

Instant triumph
The success with the small club, earned Grant a move to Maccabi Tel-Aviv in 1991, where he won the league title during his first season in charge and the Toto Cup in his second. The third season saw Grant win the State Cup and the fourth guide the team to the league championship again. 

Elite coach
In 1995, Grant joined Hapoel Haifa for one season at the end of which he returned for his second spell at Tel-Aviv which lasted four seasons. This time Grant only managed to win the Toto Cup as he left to join Maccabi Haifa in the summer of 2000. The two league titles achieved in 2000/01 and 2001/02 placed Grant back amongst the country's elite coaches.

Levin signs
Meanwhile, Nir Levin has signed a two-year deal to become the new coach of Hapoel Petach-Tikva. Levin bowed out of Maccabi Tel-Aviv in style by guiding them to the Israeli Cup on Tuesday night. His former team won 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out against Maccabi Haifa.