In a statement issued on Tuesday, FAZ General Secretary Machacha Shepande revealed that both parties had agreed to an amicable separation, describing the move as a strategic decision “to help chart a new way forward for the Chipolopolo.”

Grant, who took charge on December 22, 2022, guided Zambia to consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifications – first for the 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast and subsequently for the upcoming 2025 edition in Morocco.

His spell in charge restored Zambia’s presence at Africa’s flagship competition after a prolonged absence, offering renewed optimism to fans of the 2012 African champions.

However, despite those qualification successes, concerns had been mounting over the team’s overall performance and direction.

Zambia’s inconsistent displays in international friendlies, coupled with their early exit from the 2023 AFCON, raised questions about progress under Grant’s leadership.

The Chipolopolo’s struggles in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and a disappointing campaign at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) further fueled debate over the team’s competitiveness, ultimately leading to the decision to part ways with the former Chelsea and Ghana coach.

Zambia now faces a tough assignment at the Morocco 2025 AFCON, where they are drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Mali, and Comoros.

FAZ assured supporters that details regarding the next steps – including the future technical setup of the national team – will be announced in due course.

Ghana started the tournament on a poor note but won their remaining games to face old pal in the final.

However, after 120 minutes of football action, the game was decided on penalty shootouts.

Despite Ghana taking the lead in the shootouts, the Black Stars eventually lost 9-8 to Ivory Coast who were playing their second final in three years having lost to Zambia in 2012.

However, the former Chelsea manager believes he coached a better side claiming even the then-captain of their opponents, Yaya Toure attested to that.

“I will never forget we were in a tough group with Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa,” he told the Ghanaian press.

“We lost the first game but we showed loads of mentality. We came to the finals and there was no doubt that we were better than Ivory Coast. Yaya Toure told me this when I met him,” the Israeli gaffer added.

It was the second time Ghana had lost to Ivory Coast. The first defeat was in the final of the 1992 AFCON final.

Ghana has struggled to find their form since the departure of Grant having suffered a knockout against Tunisia in the 2019 AFCON as well as a shocking Group stage exit in the 2021 edition held in Cameroon.

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The Israeli has agreed a two-year contract, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) announced on Thursday.

“I was looking for the right challenge and that’s why I chose Zambia,” Grant said at a press conference in Lusaka.

“I came here because of the challenge and I hope when I leave here I will look around and say we did a good job and made a good foundation for the future.

“I think Zambia has the potential, we have set the targets of what we want to achieve.”

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Grant has previous experience managing in Africa, having led Ghana to the final at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where they were beaten on penalties by Ivory Coast, but resigned after finishing fourth in the same competition two years later.

The 67-year-old, who has won honours as a manager in his home country, as well as in England and Serbia, replaces former Zambia international Moses Sichone who had been acting as caretaker following the departure of former Croatia international Aljosa Asanovic in September. Sichone is expected to retain his position as assistant coach.

Grant will be tasked with reviving the ailing fortunes of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations winners. The Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) failed to qualify for this year’s tournament in Cameroon and finished third in their qualifying group for the 2022 World Cup.

However, Zambia have several talented young players, including Rangers forward Fashion Sakala and Leicester City striker Patson Daka, who won the Under-20 Nations Cup in 2017 and reached the quarter-finals of the U20 World Cup the same year.

Grant’s first game in charge will be at home to Lesotho in March, a qualifier for the 2023 Cup of Nations being held in Ivory Coast.

After five matches played Ghana sits second on the table of the group and trails South Africa by three points.

According to Avram Grant, who led the Black Stars to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon] finals, Milovan Rajevac and his side, are stronger, hence should secure the top spot at the end of the matches.

“I think yes first if we speak about the draw I think it’s not so weird,” the former Chelsea and West Ham boss told Asempa FM.

“The draw is good. South Africa is respected but Ethiopia is not that great on the continent. Ghana is better but you need to prove it on the pitch.

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“Like always I think there is a good chance [that Ghana will qualify]. I don’t know what will happen but in this group, Ghana is better than the other teams,” the ex-Black Stars coach said months ago when the draw was made.

Ghana will on Sunday, November 14, 2021, host South Africa at the Cape Coast Stadium for the final Group G match of the African qualifiers.

The Black Stars need a win to finish top of the group and advance to the playoffs of the qualifiers to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Russian billionaire believes Grant’s experience could provide invaluable support to manager Lampard and his staff.

Chelsea have won only one of their last six Premier League matches and have dropped to ninth in the table.

Grant believes his strengths lie as a team manager rather than behind the scenes, so potentially the 65-year-old’s return to Stamford Bridge could be on a short-term basis.

Recently on social media, Grant backed Lampard and urged Abramovich to give him time to prove his doubters wrong.

“About the current situation, I can say only this. You need to be strong when things are not going well when things are going well everyone is a genius and knows what to do,” Grant said in an Instagram post.

“But in the situation like this when things aren’t going well you need to be strong, look for solutions and show a lot about your character.

“What I can say to Frank and the others at the club is be patient, and more than this do whatever is necessary to do, that’s for sure. Two things: never lose it even when things are going well, don’t lose your fighting spirit at the highest level.

“And second, don’t lose what you have here [points at head] – you need to think right and look for solutions. If you do that, then everything will be OK because the quality is there and there is a potential like there was [at Chelsea] in my time.”

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In 2018, the former Portsmouth and West Ham boss had a spell as manager of Indian Super League team NorthEast United.

Prior to that, Grant managed Ghana, leading them to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, losing to Ivory Coast on penalties.

Grant guided Chelsea to the Champions League final in 2008 and Lampard scored 20 goals during 40 appearances in all competitions for the Blues during that season.

Frank Lampard says the arrival of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in 2003 made his career as a player but does not think his personal relationship with the club should influence the Russian’s decisions.

Former midfielder Lampard enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Stamford Bridge during the first decade of Abramovich’s reign before he returned to the club as head coach in 2019.

“I have to sit here and say that when the owner came to Chelsea all those years ago, it made my career,” Lampard said.

“Maybe I would have gone elsewhere or whatever might have happened in my personal career, but fortunately I was at a club that had an owner who was brought in and absolutely changed the face of it and changed my life,” he added.

His last flop was a frustrating fourth place finish, to the dismay of 25 million Ghanaians, at the 2017 Afcon in Gabon.

Barely a month after the expiration of his contract he shared his thoughts on the team and the future.

“With these great talent at the youth level especially, they deserve a treatment in the highest level today.

“Key subject is about direction and policies and Ghana need to continue with the process that it started with.

“Germany is a typical example and in 2014 they won the World Cup because they paid much attention to policies and directions from the scratch,” he added.

source: supersport.com

The Israeli trainer was reported to be on $50,000 salary package after signing a two-year contract with the Ghana FA to manage the Black Stars.

Many Ghanaians were not happy with this move -some felt Grant’s work did not match the amount.

 “Ghana did not pay Avram Grant $50,000 salary. His take home was about… [pauses]. I don’t know if I’m allowed to mention,” Saani Daara mentioned in an interview with Accra based radio station FM

“[Yes] he is gone but you have always the case where one day you would be told you have an NDA [Non-Disclosure Agreement] but he was not paid close to [the $50,000].

“We said it consistently [that it was not true] but because of the contract you have, you are not obliged to put out the figure…” the Ghana FA spokesperson added.

The Israeli took over the Black Stars in December 2014 and brought his reign to an end last month following a disappointing showing at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

During his time, Grant had always been chastised for not staying in Ghana to monitor the local league, culminating in his snub of home-based players in his squad selections.

“The Ghana FA asked me to do my best for the Black Stars and also try to help [locally], which I tried very much,” Grant said, as reported by StarrSportsGh.

“How can I do it [stay in Ghana] if the players are playing abroad before I came?

“I went the extra mile for the national team of Ghana, [more] than I did before for a club. Coaching a national team is not easy.

“I didn’t go to Ghana as a tourist, stay in the country and spend a good time.

“I could stay in the country, spend a good time and during the weekend, I go and watch a local league [game].

“But when I’m in Europe, I need to fly every two days to see a player. The best and experienced players for the national team are all based abroad.”

Grant had, prior to his Ghana appointment, coached a host of clubs including English giants Chelsea and Portsmouth.

Source: Goal