Grant rejects Roman's request to rejoin Chelsea
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Avram Grant rejects Chelsea return as ex-Portsmouth boss looks set to manage West Ham
Are you Av-ing a laugh: Grant has rejected Roman Abramovich's request to rejoin Chelsea this summer
Avram Grant has rejected Roman Abramovich's invitation to return to Chelsea despite being offered more money than he stands to earn as manager of West Ham.
Grant has snubbed the director of football role he occupied at Stamford Bridge before replacing Jose Mourinho as manager in September 2007.
Despite being sacked by Abramovich two years ago after Chelsea missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester United before losing on penalties to Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the Champions League final, Grant remains close to the Russian billionaire.
Abramovich was prepared to top the £1.3million a year West Ham are offering Grant to replace Gianfranco Zola.
But Grant has opted to remain in the dug-out rather than take another behind-the-scenes post.
Grant is expected to be unveiled as West Ham manager next week. He was also wanted by Celtic, and his name was linked with Dutch champions FC Twente following Steve McClaren's switch to German side Wolfsburg.
Upton spark: Avram Grant is expected to replace Gianfranco Zola as new West Ham boss in the near future
Grant's former Chelsea No 2, Steve Clarke, is expected to leave Upton Park once agreement is reached on his £1.2m-a-year deal, which has three years to run.
West Ham legend Alvin Martin is expected to join the coaching staff.
Grant is thought to be keen on taking a number of Pompey players, including David James, to Upton Park, although the England keeper has expressed an interest in the Portsmouth manager's job.