Dunfermline Athletic: Peter Grant rejected other opportunities to become new boss at East End Park
- Published
Peter Grant (left) was part of Alex McLeish's (centre) coaching staff at Scotland
Peter Grant says he turned down opportunities at other clubs before being named manager by Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic.
The 55-year-old left Alloa Athletic at the end of his contract after they were relegated to League One.
The former Celtic midfielder was linked with a potential reunion with former Bournemouth team-mate Eddie Howe should he become the new Celtic boss.
"Out of all the jobs available, this is the one I wanted," Grant says.
"I wanted to stay a manager, I wanted that responsibility. We're in a very good position with a very good squad of players."
Grant, a former Celtic midfielder, refuses to discuss if he was offered a place in any new management team at the Glasgow club but said the link was not surprising given his close relationship with Howe.
The former West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion coach reveals that the biggest factor in taking the Dunfermline job was the club hierarchy's approach to him, having been impressed with his Alloa side's performances last season despite suffering relegation.
"They saw my CV on the football pitch," Grant says. "I don't believe in putting a CV in because, if I did, I would blow everybody else away anyway. I don't mean that disrespectfully."
Grant, who was also linked with vacancy with Falkirk, replaces Stevie Crawford in the Dunfermline dugout, the former Pars and Scotland striker having left after they lost in the promotion play-off quarter-final after finishing fourth.
The new boss says his aim next season is to guide the club back to the top flight for the first time since 2012.
"I want to be in the Premiership," he adds. "I want to take a team to the Premiership. I wanted the opportunity to do that and I have a fantastic base here."