Avram Grant has agreed a deal in principle to become West Ham United manager and is expected to take control at Upton Park within a fortnight.
Grant resigned as manager of relegated Premier League side Portsmouth on Thursday and if he is expected to be offered a two-year contract, worth £1 million per year.
Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan revealed a four-man shortlist for Gianfranco Zola’s replacement including Sam Allardyce, Dave Jones and Ian Holloway but Grant was their No.1 target.
The Hammers parted company with Italian Zola after a disappointing campaign in which they only narrowly avoided relegation from the top flight.
Grant took over at strugling Portsmouth in November, but was unable to save the club from relegation – a task not helped by a ten point deduction imposed by the Premier League as the club entered administration. Grant remained in charge and led the club to the FA Cup final where they lost 1-0 to Chelsea.
After resigning his post at Fratton Park, Grant issued a statement to say it “was one of the most difficult decisions” of his football career.