BySimon Griver, Simon Griver
Avram Grant is virtually assured his first trophy as a manager outside of Israel after Partizan Belgrade beat BSK Borca 2-0 in the Serbian Super Liga last night to put them on the brink of back-to-back league titles.
The win leaves Partizan 12 points clear at the top of the table with four games to play and a goal difference which is +14 goals better than cross city rivals Crvena Zvedza (formerly Red Star Belgrade) who drew 1-1 away to OFK Belgrade on Wednesday.
Grant signed an 18-month contract with Partizan in January after the popular Aleksandra Stanojevic was sacked following a dispute with the board. Stanojevic had won the Serbian league title last season and left them 10 point clear this season when Grant took over.
In these circumstances, the fans have failed to warm to Grant and only a good Champions League performance next season is likely to make the Israeli a popular personality in Serbia.
Grant has failed to win any silverware since leaving Israel in 2006. He took Chelsea to the Premier League runners-up spot in 2007/08 and they were beaten Champions League finalists and League Cup finalists in 2008. He also lost the 2010 FA Cup final with Portsmouth before moving to West Ham where he lost his job after taking them down last May.
Grant remains determined to return to manage in England.