Avram asserts position as West Ham boss

Avram Grant chose his first official outing as West Ham manager to insist that he alone will be in charge of first-team affairs at Upton Park this season.

Previous manager Gianfranco Zola endured a fractious relationship with owners David Gold and David Sullivan before he was axed after narrowly relegation to the Championship.

Sullivan, who along with Gold saved the club from financial oblivion in January, openly declared his dissatisfaction with the Italian's management of the team towards the end of the season, while Zola was often forced to deny that the pair meddled in first-team affairs.

Grant, who has signed a four-year deal at Upton Park, was presented to the media for the first time at the home of the East London club.

"They (Gold and Sullivan) have just hired me but so far it is great. They are so passionate about the club. I heard they are supporters of the club since they were children.

"Our relationship is good and, of course, I am the manager and I pick the players and the squad and they know that - like it was all my life.