• ‘We want to improve and Scott Parker is a big part of this’
• Grant backs Robert Green to get over disastrous World Cup

Avram Grant has insisted the sought-after midfielder Scott Parker will remain his West Ham United side’s heartbeat, while also backing the England internationals Robert Green and Matthew Upson to overcome their disappointing World Cups.

Tottenham yesterday had a bid worth a reported £7m for the player swept angrily off the table by the West Ham co-chairman, David Sullivan. Grant, the club’s manager, said: “We want to plan to improve for the next few seasons and Scott Parker is a big part of this process. He is a very good player and has a good influence on the young players. I’m sure if he was for sale that other teams would want him as well. But we are a team with ambition and we want to progress.”

Parker played alongside Green and Upson in West Ham’s 2-0 pre-season victory over MK Dons last night, secured with goals from Julien Faubert and Carlton Cole.

Green was dropped by England after his mistake gifted the USA their equaliser in the sides’ drawn opening group match while Upson played in the 4-1 second-round defeat to Germany. “Robert is a good goalkeeper. He is doing his job and he is training well,” Grant said. “Also, Matthew Upson played his first 45 minutes as well. It was good for them and for us.

“They are not children. They know disappointment is part of the game and they need to recover very quickly because they are playing for the team. What has happened has happened and we are looking forward. I have no worries at all, it was business as usual and they know that.”

Parker was the only player declared not for sale by Sullivan this summer, with Green, Upson and Cole all linked with moves away from Upton Park. But the West Ham vice-chairman, Karren Brady, stressed the club had turned down bids for players and the focus is on improving, not dismantling, the squad.

West Ham have been chasing the defender Tal Ben Haim and the Nice striker Loïc Rémy. Grant told the club’s website: “We are looking for players. There are good players in this team but we want to make the squad stronger and we are looking for two or three players that can improve the team. I am happy with what we have but I am always looking for a way of improving and making things better.”

West Ham UnitedAvram GrantTransfer windowguardian.co.uk

• Zeljko has experience as a player and a coach, says Grant
• ‘The aim is to take the team forward with positive people’

West Ham’s manager Avram Grant has completed his management team with the appointment of the former Yugoslavia and Serbia midfielder Zeljko Petrovic as his assistant manager.

Grant had outlined his desire to appoint Petrovic, 44, when he took over at Upton Park this summer. He will work alongside the senior coach Paul Groves, the first-team coach Kevin Keen, the goalkeeping coach David Coles and the fitness coach Eamon Swift.

Grant said: “I am happy that we now have the staff set-up that I presented to the owners when I came. The aim is to take the team forward with professional, positive people and have a creative atmosphere. Zeljko Petrovic has a lot of experience and knowledge as a player and a coach.

“Paul knows my methods and did a great job for me at Portsmouth. He is one of the main reasons we went all the way to the FA Cup final with all the difficulties. Kevin has represented the traditions of West Ham and is also a very good coach and a positive person.”

Avram GrantWest Ham UnitedPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk

• ‘Scott is not for sale at any price, to anyone,’ says Sullivan
• ‘This is a new era. We are building a bigger, better West Ham’

West Ham United have confirmed that they have rejected an offer from Tottenham for Scott Parker, with the chairman David Sullivan insisting the midfielder is not for sale at any price.

The 29-year-old England international has been linked with a summer move away from Upton Park, with White Hart Lane a possible destination to join up with the former Hammers manager Harry Redknapp.

But Sullivan told www.whufc.com: “I made a promise that I would not sell Scott and I will not, for any amount of money, break that promise to the West Ham supporters.

“Scott is not for sale at any price, to anyone. West Ham supporters, for far too long, have had owners that sell their best players and promise one thing and do another.

“This is a new era. We are building a bigger, better West Ham and when we make a promise, we honour it.”

The club’s website continued in a statement: “The club would like to state that regardless of the size of the bid, nothing will break the promise that chairman David Sullivan made to our supporters.

“As repeatedly stated, Scott Parker is not for sale and there are no circumstances and no amount of money that will cause us to break that pledge to the fans.

“The club informed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy prior to him making the offer that we would not welcome any approach to unsettle the player. Scott Parker has three years left on his contract and the club has opened talks with his agent over a new five-year deal.”

West Ham UnitedTottenham HotspurTransfer windowPremier LeagueDavid Sullivanguardian.co.uk