Appointment of Grant will bring stability to West Ham, says Gold

Grant (above) will replace Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park (GETTY IMAGES)

West Ham United are expected to appoint Avram Grant as their new manager today after concluding their search for Gianfranco Zola's successor.

The club released a statement yesterday afternoon revealing they will make a formal announcement over the identity of their new coach within 24 hours. Co-chairman David Gold has indicated that Grant, who left Portsmouth nearly two weeks ago, is on the brink of taking over at Upton Park.

"After an hour, we knew we could work with this manager. We are very optimistic," Gold said. "I think it's time for the club to get some stability with people that have been there, done that and got the T-shirt. The bottom line is the relationship between the manager and the chairman is critical. In our case it's two chairmen so it's even more difficult as you need to have a relationship between three people."

Zola steered West Ham to safety with 35 points, enough to keep them one place above the relegation zone, but was sacked soon after. The Hammers were saved by the shortcomings of the teams below them as much as their own efforts, prompting Gold and his co-chairman David Sullivan to act.

"West Ham will make a formal announcement within the next 24 hours," a statement read. "The club have been conducting a thorough recruitment programme in recent weeks and made excellent progress."