West Ham manager Avram Grant is urging England fans to keep faith in the national team following their disappointing World Cup campaign.

After watching England go down 4-1 to Germany, Grant says that the situation really is not as bad as it appears, insisting that English football can still be a major force in the world.

“I have faith in English players,” he said. “I’ve been coming here at least five times a year since I was 20 so I know the English mentality better, in some cases, more than the people here. I see it from the inside and from the outside.

“There are enough good players in England and there is not one good reason to think Germany are better than England. They are not. Genuinely, they are not.”

“I heard yesterday that the English want to copy the German mentality. But it’s wrong to take someone’s success and copy it. It might not be good for you.”

Pledging his faith in the English, Grant, who has lost a stone in weight after a slimdown order from his wife,insists that “made in England” will be his long-term philosophy.

Grant also confirmed that he wants England keeper Robert Green to stay at West Ham. Green’s error gifted the USA a 1-1 in England’s World Cup opener. “I want to look forward,” said Grant. “I have spoken with Robert and I think he is a great goalkeeper.

“He has proved himself in the past and he is a positive person. We are happy he is here. What happened to him has happened to other goalkeepers before. It’s part of the game.”