Avram Grant made technical director of Fire Dragons
Play
BEC-Tero Sasana yesterday appointed former Chelsea manager Avram Grant as its technical director, while also inking a football partnership deal with Brazilian Premier league side Cruzeiro Esporte Clube.
The Fire Dragons, currently third in the Thai Premier League standings, are seeking the expertise and experience of the 59-year-old Israeli, who touched down in Bangkok yesterday afternoon. Grant, who steered Chelsea to the Champions League and League Cup final in the 2007-2008 season, will also oversee the training of BEC-Tero players and work closely with the club’s general manager Robert Procureur and head coach Jose Alves.
“This is a very exciting time for the club to have a legend like Avram Grant working with the club. Avram will attend all training sessions and oversee the players’ technical development. This is a fantastic opportunity for our players to learn from such a highly respected coach, and reflects BEC-Tero Sasana’s commitment to doing all it can to produce the best results for the club and its supporters,” Procureur said,
Meanwhile, the club signed a five-year-agreement with Cruzeiro Esporte Clube which will see the two clubs exchanging coaching staff, players and know-how with the aim of further developing their young talent and building the international profile of both clubs.
As part of the co-operation, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube will send two or three of their most promising youngsters to train and play with the Fire Dragons in the Thai Premier League.
Meanwhile, BEC-Tero junior players will be invited to participate in Cruzeiro’s under-15 tournament each December.
“This is an exciting new development for both clubs and ushers in a new era for player development,” said BEC-Tero Sasana chairman Brian L Marcar. “It is the intention of forging this Brazil partnership to promote and give our Thai players an opportunity to play football at a high level and learn from a legendary club like Cruzeiro Esporte Clube. That is why, each year, we’ll send our under-15 team to compete in Brazil offering them invaluable international experience.
The Brazilian club’s president Gilvan de Pinho Tavares said: “Cruzeiro Esporte Clube has enjoyed tremendous success in Brazil for many, many years and we are delighted to have the opportunity to explore opportunities for the club in other parts of the world. It is a great honour for us to be partnering in Thailand with such an esteemed club as BEC-Tero Sasana.”
