Grant states he's in charge at West Ham

Grant says he will pick the team (GETTY IMAGES)

New West Ham manager Avram Grant claims his relationship with the club's owners is good but remains firm that he will be the one in charge of first-team matters.

Gianfranco Zola reportedly had a fractious relationship with the club's co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold and was sacked following a troubled campaign.

Grant, who has signed a four-year deal, is delighted to be at Upton Park.

"I'm very happy to be here," said the former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss. "It's a good club.

"It's only been my first days and what I've seen so far is good. Good people, good squad. I like it.

"They (Sullivan and Gold) are so passionate about the club. Our relationship is good. I'm the manager, I pick the players and they know that."

Grant was keen to emphasis that he will be looking to build a squad for the future, with a mix of youth-team players and experience.

"What happened in the past happened in the past. I'm looking for a new beginning, " he continued. "The economic situation not so easy, but not just here.

"Our target is not only for next season but for the next seasons. We want to progress. We want our academy to progress.

"We want the team to progress. We want to build a platform that will progress each year and I'm sure we will do it.

"We want to progress with good players. The players from the academy are doing a good job, but we need good experienced players with talent too."