Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant has responded to allegations of sexual harassment.
The 66-year-old – who also managed West Ham and Portsmouth – was accused of repeated cases in a documentary broadcast in Israel.
It is alleged Grant used his position to pressurise women.
In response he posted on his Instagram account: “I want to be clear. I have never I would never force myself on and be physically aggressive towards a woman. Or to anyone.
“Any sexual relationship I have had with a woman has been consensual.”
The documentary, ‘Exposure’, claimed Grant offered to “advance the careers of young women in exchange for sex.”
Grant succeeded Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager in 2007 and led them to the Champions League final that season – losing to Manchester United on penalties.
He went on to manage Portsmouth, West Ham and Ghana.
He told the Times of Israel: “In my life, both in a personal and professional capacity, I have always sought, above and beyond any successes or achievements, to prioritise staying a human being and to respect every woman or man, whoever they may be.
“I am a people person, a man of friendships. And over the years I have maintained relationships with women. In all these relationships I have tried very hard to treat them with respect and friendship and I never intended to behave unfairly or in any way harm any woman. Anyone who has felt uncomfortable or hurt by me, I regret it and apologise from the bottom of my heart.”
