Hammers' wish Grant-ed

West Ham have appointed Avram Grant as their new manager on a four-year contract, subject to a work permit, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday.
The Hammers have been searching for a boss since Gianfranco Zola was sacked at the end of an unsuccessful season for the east London outfit.
The 55-year-old Israeli led Portsmouth to last month's FA Cup final before leaving Fratton Park two weeks ago and also coached Chelsea into the 2008 Champions League final.
"I'm proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It's an exciting challenge and I'm ready to do my best," Grant told the club's official website, www.whufc.com.
West Ham narrowly avoided the drop last season as they finished fourth from bottom of the Premier League.