Steve Clarke Fired Chelsea

youyayu SG

Chelsea have confirmed that assistant manager Steve Clarke has handed in his resignation.

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Steve Clarke was happier under Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

The former Scotland defender reportedly handed in the request on Thursday night and it could paves the way for a move to West Ham United, where he could work in a similar capacity under Gianfranco Zola, the new manager.

A Chelsea spokesman said: ''Chelsea can confirm that West Ham have made an approach with regards to talking to Steve Clarke.

''They have not been given permission to talk to him.

''Steve Clarke has tendered his resignation as assistant first team coach. We have not accepted his resignation. Talks are continuing.''

His appointment is expected to be announced in the next few days, once the club have agreed a severance package with Chelsea. Although the West London club are demanding £1.2 million in compensation because Clarke has two years left to run on his contract.

Clarke's decision comes as something of a shock given that he has ties that go back over 20 years with the club, but after four years as No 2 at Stamford Bridge it became clear that he would not fit in with the Luiz Felipe Scolari regime.

It is understood that Clarke has been effectively sidelined since Scolari was appointed in the summer, with the Brazilian relying almost entirely on Darlan Schneider, his other assistant, whom he brought with him from Portugal.

Despite taking what many have seen as a backward step, Clarke is said to be relishing the opportunity of linking up again with Zola, with whom he played for two years at Chelsea.

dukedracula SG

aiyo…how long can zola last at west ham…1 season would be considered lucky…then clark would be out of a job….by quitting i don’t think he’s getting severance pay….

youyayu SG

aiyo…how long can zola last at west ham…1 season would be considered lucky…then clark would be out of a job….by quitting i don’t think he’s getting severance pay….

why not? if zola can bring west ham to uefa cup.. i am sure when scolari is fired or reited.. he can take over as chelsea manager why not?

gunner77 SG

bye bye

zocoss SG

Clarke resigns from Chelsea

Chelsea is looking worse and worse... First Robinho rejected to join them then gone to City... Then now even their long serving No 2 would rather go to West Ham to be their No 2 than to stay back...

This is surprising to me... cos its not as tho he is going there to be their No 1 at least that is still understandable... But go there to be their No 2... its like he rather take a step down and go to a lower club to be their No 2 than to stay at Chelsea...

weird...

dukedracula SG

i don't think it's chelsea's loss, they can easily get another whatever they want...it's clark's loss, he's going to west ham under zola who has little to show for in managing a team and with the collapse of their main sponsor, funds will be restricted...and when they 'amicably' part ways, clark is left holding to nothing.....maybe mourinho may pick him up to italy...

zocoss SG

Gianfranco Zola

Chelsea coach Steve Clarke has quit to join Gianfranco Zola at West Ham, sparking a bitter compensation battle between the rival clubs. Stamford Bridge officials today insisted they had not given permission for the Hammers to speak to the Scot and are refusing to accept his resignation. But Clarke is determined to cut his ties with the club, despite a last-gasp bid by Luiz Felipe Scolari to persuade him to stay.

The Chelsea manager said: 'Yesterday I invited Steve to my house to discuss the situation with West Ham and his project for his life. 'I open the door for Steve and when I listened to his project I told him that I am the coach to open more doors for you to become a manager in England. 'I said I would give him more responsibility in my team and in Chelsea. I also said that I would let everyone know that Steve wants to fly alone in the future.

'I don't know what's happened since I met with him but I arrived today to find out he has resigned. Sometimes we think our best direction is one way when it is another. I don't agree with his decision.'

Talks between the two clubs over compensation broke down yesterday with no settlement reached. Chelsea are thought to be demanding about £1.5m for the 45-year-old, who has two years left on his contract.

A Chelsea spokesman said: 'We can confirm that West Ham have made an approach with regards to talking to Steve Clarke. They have not been given permission to talk to him. 'Steve has tendered his resignation as assistant first-team coach. We have not accepted his resignation. Talks are continuing.'

Clarke has spent 20 years at the club as a player and coach and is a popular figure with the fans. However, he became unsettled under Scolari's predecessor Avram Grant and also clashed with former assistant Henk Ten Cate.

Zola, a former team-mate of Clarke, started his new role at Upton Park yesterday and immediately moved to recruit him as No2. A compensation claim is the last thing West Ham need given the financial problems facing the club following the collapse of shirt sponsor XL.

Kevin Keen, the current reserve team coach, will take charge of the team at West Brom tomorrow — with 42-year-old Zola taking control of first-team affairs next week.

Alongside Clarke, Zola will have former Chelsea, Monaco and Juventus fitness coach Antonio Pintus working with the team.