Gregory quits as Ashdod coach
Reuters - Monday 18 April 2011, 12:24
JERUSALEM - Former Aston Villa manager
John Gregory quit as coach of Israeli Premier League Ashdod on
Monday, less than a year into a three-year contract after a run
of poor results and media reports he was about to be replaced.
The former England midfielder said he and Israeli assistant
Itzik Ovadia agreed to leave after hearing that Yossi Mizrahi, a
former Ashdod coach, could be returning next season.
"The speculation around a new coach coming made us think
about it and if we are not going to be here next year we may as
well go now," said Gregory in a video interview with the sports
website www.one.co.il.
"It wasn't an easy decision to make but we both decided it
was in the best interests of everybody."
Ashdod ended the season 13th in the 16-team league, meaning
they must fight to avoid relegation in a six-club playoff.
Gregory, who also used to manage Derby County and Queen's
Park Rangers, was in charge of relegated Israeli side Maccabi
Ahi Nazareth last season.
"It was a great privilege to have John Gregory at our club,"
said Ashdod chairman Jacky Ben Zaken.
"Our situation is not good and I have told the players that
if I could I would replace all of them because the fault is not
with the coaching staff."