• Israeli ‘proud and honoured’ to become manager at Upton Park
• ‘Avram’s arrival is just the latest reason for real optimism’

Avram Grant has signed a four-year deal to become West Ham manager, subject to the Israeli being granted a work permit, the club confirmed today. It is an appointment that brings “experience and stability” according to the club’s co-owner David Gold.

“I am proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham,” said Grant, who is currently out of the country. “It will be an exciting challenge and I am ready to do my best. This is a fantastic club with great fans and a history that is respected around the world. I am already looking forward to getting to work with my players in July and preparing for the new season.”

Grant will be officially unveiled later this month, but he has already received words of support from Gold and David Sullivan, the co-owners.

Sullivan said: “I am delighted to welcome Avram to West Ham and am confident he will prove a success. We have taken our time over this appointment and are certain we have got the right man.

“We are all looking forward to next season with new players coming in and Avram’s arrival is just the latest reason for real optimism.”

Gold added: “I have to say that having met Avram and spent some time with him that we have got our man. He is a perfect fit. We needed experience and stability. He is a footballing man and quite frankly his reputation speaks for itself. He has a great sense of humour and I am sure the players will relate to him and the fans will warm to him.”

Avram GrantWest Ham UnitedJamie Jacksonguardian.co.uk

• West Ham’s joint-chairman demands ‘drastic improvement’
• Stinging attack could alienate Hammers’ manager and players

David Sullivan, joint chairman of West Ham United, has risked further conflict with his manager, Gianfranco Zola, as well as his players, by heavily criticising the team’s display in their 3-1 home defeat by Wolves in an open letter to supporters.

Sullivan’s letter was published on West Ham’s official website today. Commenting on the midweek defeat, which was West Ham’s fifth in a row and leaves them one place and three points above the relegation zone, he wrote: “I was angry at the disorganised way we played, allowing Wolves too much space so that they looked like Manchester United. Individually we have some very good players but this is not being converted into a good team performance. Nobody at the club should delude themselves that we are a good team. The table does not lie.”

Sullivan went on to describe the showing against Wolves as “pathetic”, having also labelled it “shambolic”, and demanded a “drastic improvement” in Saturday’s visit of Stoke City. But Sullivan may not get the reaction he is looking for given the nature of his criticism and the fact it is not the first time he has undermined Zola since taking over at Upton Park, alongside David Gold, in January.

Prior to West Ham’s victory over Birmingham last month, he warned of pay cuts at the club, something which Zola immediately criticised. The relationship was further fractured after Sullivan questioned whether the Italian was “too soft” to succeed as a manager and, though Sullivan gave his “100% backing” to Zola after Tuesday’s defeat, they are predicted to part company in the summer, whether West Ham are relegated or not.

Some of the players may now also be considering turning their back on the former Birmingham owner with the captain Matthew Upson describing Sullivan’s criticism as “irrelevant. If David Sullivan wants to air his views, then he does so. He’s the chairman. But I wouldn’t say from a player’s point of view that it helps.”

Sullivan ended his letter by writing: “I’m finding it hard being an owner who is a supporter. I hope for happier times soon.”

West Ham UnitedDavid SullivanPremier LeagueSachin Nakraniguardian.co.uk