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Avram Grant, Israeli manager of Chelsea Football Club. (AP) Last update - 09:08 29/03/2008 Avram Grant: the man the Israeli media loves to hate By Rohi Bet Levi, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, Avram Grant  Avram Grant, the manager of Chelsea Football Club in the English Premier League , flew into Israel to take part in an advanced coaching workshop, a routine occurrence over the last few months, and, lo and behold, television reporters are addressing him in English. Grant, who has only mastered the basics of the language, is still greeted with an affectionate "Avram," in the same chummy, genial tone that the TV news broadcasts reserve for the sports segment, which immediately follows the report on what passes for entertainment news and precedes the witty weather forecast. The arrival of the 53-year-old Grant presented some Israeli sports reporters yet another opportunity to flaunt their arsenal of compliments, accolades, and open sycophancy, which is exhibited during each of Grant's visits back, after each Chelsea victory, big and small. This week, the celebration was two-fold: A visit which was preceded by an important win against Arsenal, Chelsea's rival at the top of the Premier League standings. Nonetheless, some journalists were unimpressed by the achievement, and used the occasion to once again besmirch Grant's image and regurgitate old stories about his problematic working relationships with some of his star players and candidates for the dream job which they allege went to Grant thanks to his mysterious ties to, and friendship with, Chelsea FC owner - Russian-born Jewish billionaire Roman Abramovitz. Advertisement At times this seems like a conditioned response: the defamations were expected, the blessings predictable. Grant, it turns out, draws the worst out of everyone - both his many supporters and his equally numerous critics. The media's focus on the puppy-eyed coach was never confined to the football pitch and Grant's job does not end with coaching and football matches. This endless tug of war between his advocates and his zealous antagonists is progressing with silent but obvious encouragement of the man himself, who devotes considerable time and energy to forging close ties with Israeli journalists and editors even when he is overseas. Proof of this can be found in Grants statements during his visit to Israel this week: "The press in England is very different. Unlike Israel, where there are personal ties with journalists, there it is all done through press conferences." Grant's personal ties, the absence of which he now laments, have transformed him into the hero of the sports pages and their favorite villain, in accordance with the circumstances and his will. During his term as coach of Israel's national soccer squad, Grant sparked a war between the sports sections of Israeli dailies Maariv and Yediot when, in 2004, under the nose of Maariv's editor, with whom he was traveling in Spain, he snuck into the 'enemy's' camp: A semi-official visit to Tunisia which was exclusively and extensively covered by the competition from Moses street. Maariv did not waver in its response: The publication of an unflattering photograph of the manager and his overflowing gut, and a prolonged crusade that lasted until the editor of the sports supplement was replaced. Since then, Grant has succeeded in once again ingratiating himself with Maariv's reporters and angering Yediot's correspondents, granting Haaretz an exclusive article, confusing the internet reporters, winking at the Sports Channel and completing a 360 degree rotation only to start all over again. This all too familiar media circus - of love and hate, admiration and scorn - turns Grant's story into a predictable tale of divisiveness, and robs us of one of the most fascinating accounts of Israeli sports in recent years. Grant's quick rise to fame in the ranks of English football - first as a special adviser to one of the most elite and high-profile clubs in the Premier League and later as a manager - along with the cruel reception that came along with it ("Avram, who?", "Average Grant"), could have produced the sort of stuff news are made of. If we could only get the story right, and not be caught up in the recent buzz. Perhaps we could have even talked about Grant's football strategies. Now there's a thought. We could well ask how he managed to translate the controlled and monitored style he advocated in the Israeli national team, which emphasized not-losing over winning and made fear its motto, into the dynamic style of the English Premier League. Is this a success story or one of failure? One could also ask how the manager who promised Chelsea fans attractive and attacking soccer managed in getting their blessings despite his defensive marginal win last week against Arsenal. Is opportunism better than a clear method? Is every victory an achievement, regardless of the way in which it is sought? One could indeed ask, but there is no one in Israel to answer. For twenty years Grant has been depicted in a monotonous way in the Israeli media. The past feverish months have added some colorful brushstrokes to his character, yet for some reason we still continue to regard him only in black and white. Related articles: Chelsea coach Avram Grant, wife receive anti-Semitic death threats Soccer / Champions League / Don't mess with Avram Grant Avram Grant delays debut as Chelsea manager due to Yom Kippur Grant's qualifications as Chelsea Football Club head questioned Bookmark to del.icio.us   The gift of dignity T.A. charity provides female drug addicts with shower, meal and counseling. Sign of life Hamas leader says Gilad Shalit is still alive after two years in captivity.   1.   I like Avram but hate football 12:50  |  Yaakov Sullivan 29/03/08   2.   You know what is really stupid, Yaakov? 17:40  |  Mark B. 29/03/08   3.   This remains the football-mystery of the century.......... 18:21  |  Swiss (Dino) 29/03/08   4.   Hello Dino 19:27  |  Mark B. 29/03/08   5.   # 4 Mark B. 22:02  |  Swiss (Dino) 29/03/08   6.   Dino, on Avram Grant 22:48  |  Mark B. 29/03/08   7.   Avarm Grant is an unsung manager 01:14  |  oa 30/03/08   8.   Barnsley defeat 03:08  |  KavJack 30/03/08   9.   Football is very big business in Britain. 01:36  |  honey bunch 01/04/08

Today Online Jerusalem council okays 600 new Jewish homes in Arab area Responses: 230 Yishai: Israel must negotiate with Hamas over Shalit release Responses: 137 Editorial: Peace talks, even on Jerusalem, must be secret Responses: 47 MK Swaid: Demolition of Arab homes will lead to an explosion Responses: 47 Rosner's Domain New Guest: Rabbis who don't officiate intermarriage should refer to rabbis who do Poll: What percentage of Jews will vote McCain? 38% for pressuring Palestinians, 25% for pressuring Israel (WTR) Can McCain get a boost from the new dovish Jewish lobby? More Headlines 21:34 Israeli kills Palestinian knifeman in attempted West Bank attack 01:43 Barak heeds Rice call, reverses course to back PA border plan 21:54 Jerusalem council okays 600 new Jewish homes in Arab area 00:17 Abducted soldier's mother: PM must pay price to retrieve them 23:09 Amir Peretz to Ehud Barak: Who would want to vote for you? 23:51 IDF tracker charged with 'aiding Hezbollah in war against Israel' 19:40 Clinton and Obama voters support Israel in similar numbers 20:06 Once a week, the gift of human dignity 16:30 Norway tries suspects in 2006 shooting at main Oslo synagogue 21:28 Barak allots NIS 30M more for security in frontline communities 23:04 Law sets 3-year jail penalty for car-owners who go to mechanics in PA 18:52 Rights group demands gov't stop demolishing Bedouin homes Previous Editions Select Day 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar

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