Grant - Back in Israel
Photo: Jonathan Hauerstock
Grant thanks Israelis who supported him in England
Days after his dismissal as Chelsea manager, Avram Grant lands in Tel Aviv to join fellow Israeli coaches for a UEFA course. 'I embarked on this journey as a private person but I felt that I travelled together with all the Israelis who were with me,' he says upon landing
Recently fired Chelsea coach Avram Grant thanked Israeli well-wishers for their support during his time at the club and in England when he returned home from London on Sunday night.
The former Israel coach was dismissed on Saturday after an eight-month stint at the helm of the London side where he came close to winning the Champions League, the English Premier League and the League Cup but ended up with nothing.
Speaking to a large pack of reporters waiting for him at the airport arrival hall, Grant said: "I had a great experience during the past year and two years as a whole (in England) and I very much want to thank all the people in Israel .
"I embarked on this journey as a private person but I felt that I travelled together with all the Israelis who were with me, the thousands who were at the stadiums...to all those who sent me letters and e-mails...it thrilled me more than anything else on this journey and I want to apologize to all those to whom I did not reply." Grant uttered only one sentence in English before disappearing to a waiting car which whisked him away.
"It was a great experience, great time and now I need to go to my family," he said.
On Monday Grant is due to join fellow Israeli coaches who are taking part in a UEFA coaching course in Tel Aviv.
