West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola and his assistant Steve Clarke have agreed new four-year contracts with the Premier League club.

The pair will sign deals to remain with the club until 2013 after Saturday's home game against Chelsea or on Monday.

They arrived at West Ham in September 2008 and have put the Hammers in the race for a place in Europe next season.

Zola and Clarke played together at Chelsea and were linked with returns when Luis Felipe Scolari was sacked.

But West Ham confirmed to BBC Sport on Saturday that the contract agreements were in place and ready to be signed.

Clarke said on Thursday that although he has happy memories of his Chelsea days, that chapter of his life was over.

"I am enjoying my time here. I think it was a strange move for a lot of people when I came but I feel justified in making it," he said.

"I had great times at Chelsea but it has gone, it is in the past and I have to look forward. I am at West Ham now."

Reports claim Zola has agreed a £1.6m-a-year contract, while Clarke will become the Premier League's highest paid number two with a £1m wage packet.

"Already they're talking about extending so we are doing something right," Clarke said on Thursday.

"Discussions are on-going but it will be sorted when it's sorted. There's no rush on my side or that of the club."

Zola had spoken of his desire to sign a long-term deal and build a long-term project at Upton Park, on the proviso that Clarke and his backroom team stay at the club.

West Ham appointed Zola on 11 September 2008 and he was followed into the club by Clarke four days later.

Source

There was a lot of rumours flying around this morning that they were waiting to hear what Chelsea's plans were before they sgned the new contract. Could be nonsense.

Yea I think they are dedicated to what they are doing at the pikie boys. As people keep saying about Chelsea and Jose, we should move on! The same could be said of the Chelsea and Zola connection.

Not necessarily bad news. Gives them time to get the experience to one day manage the Mighty Blues. Plus, they get said experience in the best league in the world.

Exactly Virosh, Clarke has proved he's a great coach and Franco has done a decent job as manager, but let's see if that continues.

Grant signed a 4 year deal when he took over, I'm just saying.

Whatever happens, its nice to have Franco is English football, maybe not as good as Agent Wise when he took down Leeds and helped destroy Newcastle, but still good.

Edited April 25, 200917 yr by Gem

I just read this on the BBC website.

damn...

It pains me to see them over there....but I agree, if it gets them the experience that they need before coming back to take over at the Bridge; I'm all for it!