Avram Grant takes over as Partizan Belgrade coach

Published Jan. 13, 2012 1:06 p.m. ET

foxsports

Partizan Belgrade appointed former Chelsea manager Avram Grant as its new coach on Friday, hoping he could lead the defending Serbian champions to the Champions League next season.

Partizan did not specify the terms of the deal, saying on its web site that the Israeli coach will be paid ''in line with the club's realistic limits.''

Local media reported that Grant will receive ?900,000 ($1.1 million) for a one-year deal, plus a ?400,000 ($500,000) bonus if the team qualifies for the Champions League.

''The managing board is convinced that with Avram Grant in charge, the club will achieve what its army of fans expects him to do,'' Partizan said.

Grant, who led Chelsea to its only Champions League final, was fired from relegated West Ham last May. He previously led relegation-bound Portsmouth to the FA Cup final.

Partizan said that coach Aleksandar Stanojevic, who led the team to the Serbian league title last season, was fired following his clash with the club management that was triggered by the team's failure to reach the Champions League this season.

''The breach of his contract and the clash with the board was such that his further stay at Partizan was no longer possible,'' the club said in the statement.

At the midseason break, Partizan leads the Serbian league standings, 10 points ahead of Belgrade rival Red Star.