XtraTime Web Desk: One of the famous managers in world football and the former boss of Premier League side Chelsea fc, Avram Grant is all set to return to Hero ISL this season at NorthEast United.
The former Chelsea boss moves upstairs as Eelco Schattorie and Arthur Papas are set to be appointed in managerial roles soon, as reported by www.xtratime.in before. NorthEast United FC have re-appointed Avram Grant as an ‘Advisor’ to the club for the 2018-19 season of the ISL with immediate effect.
The John Abraham co-owned outfit had earlier availed his services in a similar role in January 2018, after the sacking of former head coach Joao de Deus. Grant, now 63, was then also delegated the manager’s role for the rest of the 2017-18 ISL.
The Guwahati-based side only managed a single win under Portuguese manager De Deus in the first seven games of the season. However, there was no apparent change in fortunes after Grant’s appointment as the Highlanders only won another couple of games before finishing bottom of the ten-team league.
“I am happy to take on the role as Advisor to the club. The management and I are working very hard to help the club pursue our common goal of reaching the very top of Indian Football. The ISL, although very young, is a brilliant platform for India’s best to showcase their talent. The competitive spirit, the atmosphere and fans are amazing and the league can only grow from here. I am very happy to be here,” Grant said in his official statement.
Eelco Schattorie, who assisted Grant the previous season is expected to be announced as the head coach of the side in the coming few days. The former East Bengal coach will team up with Arthur Papas, who will serve as the assistant coach to the Dutchman, rekindling the partnership they had at Saudi side Ettifaq FC in 2017.
NorthEast United remain the only founder-ISL clubs to never have qualified for the playoffs in its four seasons. The club will start its pre-season training in Guwahati from Sunday before they fly out to Turkey where the foreign recruits are expected to join in.