Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., February 28, 2008 Adar1 22, 5768 | | Israel Time: 20:24 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Newly appointed Chelsea manager and former Israeli international head coach Avram Grant. (Reuters) Last update - 09:23 21/09/2007 Avram Grant delays debut as Chelsea manager due to Yom Kippur By Rami Hipsh, Agencies and Haaretz Service Tags: Chelsea, sports, soccer  Newly appointed Chelsea manager Avram Grant will miss the club's preparations for its big match against Manchester United on Sunday because of the Jewish fast of Yom Kippur, Channel 10 News reported Thursday night. Grant was quoted as informing Chelsea management he will stay home Friday and Saturday in observance of the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, making Sunday's match his first formal appearance as team manager. According to tradition, Jews are stipulated on Yom Kippur to refrain from eating or drinking and atone for their sins. Advertisement Earlier Thursday, Chelsea Football Club appointed the veteran Israeli soccer manager and Steve Clarke to take charge of the Premier League team Thursday after manager Jose Mourinho's sudden departure. "Chelsea football club can confirm that Avram Grant and Steve Clarke will be in charge of the first team from today (Thursday)," Chelsea said on its Web site. Chelsea did not say how long the pair would be running the team or exactly what their roles would be. Chelsea's next game is at defending champion Manchester United on Sunday. "The club is delighted that, in Avram, we have an experienced man who can come in immediately at this difficult time to help deliver our objectives. In Steve, we have a Chelsea man and he will be a crucial part of the management team going forward" , Chelsea added. The 51-year-old Grant, who is the club's director of football, is a close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. His hiring last summer was opposed by Mourinho, who told Grant not to interfere with team affairs. Grant previously held the position of technical director at Portsmouth. He also led Israel to the brink of World Cup qualification in 2006 and has coached Israeli sides Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Maccabi Haifa. Former Chelsea player Gavin Peacock told the BBC that the appointment was a surprise and Grant would need to work hard to maintain team morale. "If you're bringing in someone like (Russia manager) Guus Hiddink, then you're bringing in someone of great repute, as for Grant, I don't know. "I think the heart of the team will be affected by Mourinho's departure. It will be very difficult to get that team spirit that Mourinho managed to manufacture very quickly at Chelsea." Avi Cohen, the chairman of the Israeli Football Association said that "Avram Grant is very successful in Israel. He won the championship with several teams and he knows football, even so it is a shock that he was chosen." More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us   Deadly shelling B'Tselem slams IDF decision not to indict troops over errant strike that left 21 civilians dead. Reaching boiling point Gaza residents are told to boil drinking water as purifying chlorine runs out.   1.   I only hope.... 12:26  |  Stan 20/09/07   2.   poisoned chalice 12:59  |  ky 20/09/07   3.   Does Grant deserve Chelsea? 14:03  |  daniel 20/09/07   4.   Avram Grant 14:05  |  Israel 20/09/07   5.   Gevalt! 14:23  |  Esther 20/09/07   6.   As an Arsenal supporter I can only be happy 14:51  |  Mark B. 20/09/07   7.   Don`t get excited about Avram 15:16  |  Big Al 20/09/07   8.   not to be antisemitic, but 15:17  |  edgar 20/09/07   9.   Avram Grant new manager at Chelsea 15:20  |  Chris Linthwaite 20/09/07   10.   GODDBYE ARSENAL.... YOU ARE IN FOR A LOSS 16:10  |  Tippo 20/09/07   11.   Blue mess 16:10  |  Percy 20/09/07   12.   Nationality Not Important 16:12  |  Phil 20/09/07   13.   And who 19:59  |  Axel 20/09/07   14.   Chelsea 00:33  |  Jules 21/09/07   15.   Avram Grant 19:26  |  Wayne Roo 25/09/07   16.   Avram Grant 00:24  |  KavJack 26/09/07   17.   P.R. 09:43  |  Motic 26/09/07   18.   Many (not all) Brits are a bunch of rascists 20:03  |  John 28/02/08

Today Online IDF kills 16, including 5 children, in Gaza, West Bank Responses: 208 Barak: Large-scale Gaza operation is 'real and tangible' Responses: 104 Editorial: Decision on Gaza operation should be daring and level-headed Responses: 48 Abbas: I oppose armed struggle, but won't rule it out for future Responses: 77 Pro-Israel evangelical leader Hagee endorses McCain Responses: 51 Rosner's Domain Battle of Ohio: from James Garfield to Hillary Clinton Can Obama restore the Black-Jewish alliance? Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Why is Farrakhan the litmus test for black politicians? (WTR) Iran Could Have Enough Uranium for a Bomb by Year's End (WTR) More Headlines 20:23 Egypt plans to provide all of Gaza's electricity 20:12 IDF kills 16 Palestinians in Gaza, W. Bank, including 5 children 19:54 Grad rocket fired from Gaza scores direct hit on Ashkelon home 19:03 Barak: Wide ground operation in Gaza is 'real and tangible' 14:28 Abbas: I oppose armed struggle, but won't rule out option for future 20:10 Report: Chelsea fans hurl anti-Semitic abuse at coach Grant 10:55 Ban backs Wiesenthal Center's call for UN session on terror 13:10 Katsav indicted on watered-down charges after sex crime plea deal 14:01 Jewish school may forfeit basketball playoffs over Sabbath game 15:58 Adelson faces T.A. court over charges he skimped on casino deal payment 15:07 Court closes off key testimonies in murder trial of Golan teen Previous Editions Select Day 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb

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