Grant expects to remain West Ham bossIn the face of intense speculation regarding his immediate future at West Ham,
Avram Grant said he expects to remain in place at Upton Park next week and admitted that rumours regarding his future were unhelpful prior to a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal.On Saturday morning, it was reported that the West Ham board had decided to dispose of Grant and appoint Martin O'Neill irrespective of the result against Arsenal, although ESPNsoccernet understood that no firm decision had been taken prior to kick-off at Upton Park.
In his post-match press conference,
Grant was continually asked about whether expects to retain his job, and initially responded: "Why do you ask me this question? Where was these reports? You know who gave you the rumours. Ask the person, not ask me. When I will give you something, ask me."However,
the West Ham boss did state that he is expecting to carry out his duties at the club, unless informed otherwise by members of the Hammers board. Grant also said that apparent leaks from within Upton Park regarding his future were counterproductive ahead of the Arsenal game.
"The rumours of my future do not help," he said. "On the day of a game especially, these rumours do not help. All I can focus on is the football and to try and get the best out of the players we have. I prefer football questions to these questions over my future.
"I cannot say about the rumours because I didn't create the rumours. Ask this person. I get fed up answering the same question every week, every press conference. I expect to be in charge next week. Someone will have to tell me if this situation changes."Grant threw his scarf to West Ham supporters following the 3-0 home defeat, but played down the significance of his actions.
"I have done this at the last few games, throw my scarf to the children who are there," he said. "Today it was emotional to see the reaction of the supporters after the game, we had lost 3-0 and they were so supportive. It was touching to see this, so I did what I did. You need to respect the supporters, that is what I did."
Arsene Wenger voiced sympathy for his opposite number following a fluid performance from his side in East London.
"There is all this speculation about the job, it can unsettle because your words maybe have less power and your environment is a bit unsettled. It doesn't help, that is for sure," Wenger said. "I have big sympathy for Avram Grant. I don't think it affects him at all, but you don't know how much it affects your environment.
"Our job is difficult enough not to put some more on your back. It's difficult enough without problems of that sort."
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