Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant has arrived in Thessaloniki to hold talks with Greek Super League club Aris over a potential business role.
Grant arrived in the northern Greek city on Wednesday and visited the club training facilities at Rysio on Thursday to meet with players and technical staff.
Reporting on the news broadcast The Football Show by Stoiximan on Greek news portal protothema.gr, journalist Fotis Pliakos said Grant had already conducted initial meetings with management.
Pliakos stated that while Grant's exact responsibilities have not been formally defined, the position will not involve managing player transfers.
Commercial experience
Instead, Pliakos reported that Grant is likely to take on a commercial position that extends beyond day-to-day team management. He pointed out that Grant previously launched a business enterprise in the United Arab Emirates to advise Israeli entrepreneurs on investment opportunities in the region.
Pliakos said his impression was that Grant would fulfill a similar corporate and strategic function for the Greek club.
Grant, 71, is an Israeli football manager best known for guiding Chelsea to the 2008 UEFA Champions League final during his time in England, where he also managed Portsmouth and West Ham United.
Aris FC, established in 1914 in Thessaloniki, is one of the most prominent clubs in Greek football, hosting home matches at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium in the city.
Midfield target
Turning to transfer developments, Pliakos reported that Aris have focused attention on 21-year-old midfielder Alexandre Zouaoui in recent days.
Pliakos said Aris management regards Zouaoui as a high-potential project with scope for development, noting that media reports in France regarding the youngster have been very positive.
Match preparations
Pliakos also commented on Aris' forthcoming match against Crete-based side OFI, lightheartedly saying he had hoped OFI's mid-week fixture would go to extra time so they would arrive at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium more fatigued.
OFI, based in Heraklion, compete alongside Aris in the top tier of Greek football.
