Avram Grant: I May Leave Ghana In 2017

The Israeli was coy on his future as he addressed pressmen on his first year in charge of the Black Stars.

 Ghana coach Avram Grant has hinted he may not extend his stay as Black Stars manager when his contract expires in January 2017.

The 60-year-old officially started work in December 2014 with a 27-month deal, after Ghana’s disappointing showing at the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday to commemorate the end of his first year, the Israeli revealed he could be headed for the exit when his deal expires.

“This is football, you never know,” Grant said when questioned on a possible extension of his deal.

“My contract is up to January 2017 and we will see what will happen in the future. Everything is possible. For now. I am focused on what to do and not when the contract will end.

“I am very comfortable with the staff, both local and the ones abroad. Assistant coach Maxwell Konadu has been doing a very good job because he’s been the contact man for the local players. Everyone has been doing a good job. If they don’t, I gently tell them to step away.”

The former Chelsea manager has won seven of his ten official matches, drawing one and losing two. He as well led Ghana to the final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations where they succumbed to Cote d’Ivoire on penalties.

“I never give marks to myself, I give the best answer on the pitch. I think you have to judge me by the results,” Grant told the gathering.

“I am happy we have improved our goal scoring as a team. We have also set targets to improve our defending generally and in set-pieces. I think the players have done well for themselves and for their country in my first year.”

Portland Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey asked to be excused from Ghana’s friendly with Canada in October due to club commitment, and this has led to rumours that Grant had been disgusted by the shot-stopper’s choice of club over country.

“I don’t have any personal issue with anybody in the Black Stars,” Grant said.

“For me, I work for the team. I have no personal issues with Kwarasey but I pick players based on quality, dedication and patriotism.

“There are three criteria I use to select players; first is quality, second is personality and third is commitment to the national team which is the most important.”

The former Portsmouth coach also touched on a series of other issues.

“I am in contact with Kwadwo Asamoah. I hope he will start to play again and get back to his best for Ghana.

“I’m not happy to pick players who don't play regularly but sometimes, you must pick players who do well for us. I am sure we will differ on what a quality player is but I am sorry, there is only one man in charge and that is me.

“Monitoring in Africa is something I need to do more often. I intend to do that a bit more. If I pick a player, it means he is good enough to be in the national team.

“I don't divide where the players play. I invite Ghanaian players and the best regardless of where they are based. Everyone has an opinion about players. I need to do what's best for the team.

“To be able to do my job well, I must do what many coaches do and follow the players. I will be where most of our players are. I need to be there.”

The Black Stars will return to action in March 2016 when they take on Mozambique in 2017 Afcon qualifying double-header.