Avram Grant fully focused on West Ham despite rumours

West Ham manager Avram Grant insists he remains focused on the club’s bid to avoid relegation despite intense speculation over his future at Upton Park.

Ahead of their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday various reports claimed the match would be the Israeli’s last game in charge of the Hammers, with former Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill said to be ready to step into his shoes.

Matters worsened for the former Chelsea boss with the defeat to the gunners and Grant further fuelled speculation by throwing his scarf to the crowd in what appeared to be a farewell gesture to the Upton Park faithful.

The 55-year-old, however, insists he remains fully focused on improving the Hammers’ form. He said: “I had two choices, and chose to focus on the football. Of course rumours on the day of a game do not help, it does not matter where they came from.

“I still want to focus on the thing I can control, and this is the team. I prefer to talk about football rather than answer questions about other things around, especially when I am not the man you need to be asking.”

Grant, whose side remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table, added: “Other teams there is a lot of quiet around them, so that has helped, but I think we have dealt with it all very well. “If we do the right thing, there will be a bright future here, and not just in the cup.”

West Ham travel to Goodison Park next weekend before cup encounters against Birmingham in the League Cup semi-final and a fourth round FA Cup tie with Nottingham Forest.