Grant takes charge at Partizan

Partizan Belgrade have named Avram Grant as their new coach after sacking Aleksandra Stanojevic over a dispute with the club's board. Grant, the former Chelsea, Portsmouth and Israel boss, returns to management a little over six months after being sacked by West Ham United following their relegation from the Premier League. Stanojevic was sacked, despite the defending Serbian champions sitting 10 points clear in the league after 15 games, after what the club described as "violations of the statute and general laws of the club". "The weight and breach of contractual obligations is such that there has been a permanent and complete distortion of relations and cooperation between the board of the club and Aleksandra Stanojevic and his work at FC Partizan is no longer possible." The statement added: "The board of directors is confident that Avram Grant is at the top of his profession and can achieve the results that are expected from our army of fans." According to reports in Serbia, Grant has been offered substantial bonuses if the club qualifies for next season's UEFA Champions League.