Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant decided to join Portsmouth as director of football rather than take the New York Red Bulls coaching job.

The Israeli was in negotiations with the Red Bulls to replace Juan Carlos Osorio, who resigned in August, but decided to return to England's south coast with Pompey where he was technical director in 2006.

Grant's representative in the US, Don Barnett, said that a deal was very close.

"Grant would make history in New York based on the demographics of the area," Barnett said.

"With all the Jewish residents and expat Israelis in the area, coupled with his profile at Chelsea, he would have raised the profile of Red Bull to a higher level on and off the field - and helped to sell tickets and attract players.

"He wants the job, but I guess he couldn't wait on them any longer."