Portmsouth confirm Grant approach

Pompey adminstrator Andrew Andronikou has confirmed that his club received an official approach with regards to Avram Grant shortly before the Israeli manager resigned yesterday.

Grant, who remains odds-on to succeed Gianfranco Zola as West Ham United's thirteenth full-time manager wrote an emotional letter to Portsmouth supporters explaining the reason behind his decision to resign from his post yesterday.

Andronikou later revealed that an official approach by an unnnamed club had been made - but refused to go into detail, saying simply: "I will honour the confidentiality [as] we are talking about another manager's job."

Meanwhile an unnamed spokesman, talking on behalf of West Ham is understood to have claimed that the new manager will be in place by the beginning of next month.

"West Ham United can confirm the club is making good progress in the search for a new manager and the appointment will be made by early June," the spokesman told the Telegraph.

"The club is in the middle of a thorough selection process which could continue over the next 12 days before being finalised. The new manager will then have a month to prepare for the start of pre-season, with all at the club determined to improve on the previous campaign."

One player tipped to follow Grant up the M3 to east London was former Hammer David James, initially signed by Glenn Roeder for £3million eight years ago.

However Rob Green's England understudy is one of four current first team players to be offered a contract for next season by the new Championship club.