Posted September 12, 200816 yr I thought I would copy Englishmans post from the Zola thread as it's big news (again sh*t news) Steve Clarke resigned as Chelsea's assistant first-team coach yesterday evening to pave the way for a move to West Ham United, where he will work in a similar capacity under Gianfranco Zola, the new manager. The former Scotland defender has agreed the terms of a three-year contract at Upton Park and his appointment will be announced in the next few days, once the club have agreed a compensation package with Chelsea.Clarke's decision to end more than 20 years with Chelsea came as a shock to the club, who had tried to keep him. After a series of meetings with Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, failed to bring a resolution, Clarke had little option but to leave. Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Chelsea manager, also attempted to persuade Clarke to stay, arguing that the Scot owed him a debt of loyalty after he allowed him to stay on this summer and claiming that his departure so close to the start of the season would reflect badly on the club. But after four years as No2 at Stamford Bridge, Clarke's mind was made up. Clarke has been quietly seeking a way out since José Mourinho left the club a year ago. He was persuaded to stay after being awarded a new three-year contract in the light of the Portuguese's departure. He did not enjoy a close relationship with Avram Grant, Mourinho's successor, although he was given wide-ranging responsibilities to take training by the Israeli, which shored up his position. 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. Whereas Clarke was close to Mourinho and all his assistants, it is understood that he has not been invited into Scolari's inner sanctum in the same way. Although joining West Ham will be seen as a backward step in some quarters, Clarke views the opportunity to take charge of the coaching at a Barclays Premier League club as too good to refuse, as well as relishing the opportunity of linking up again with Zola, with whom he played for two years at Chelsea. Clarke's departure is a setback to Chelsea because he was very popular in the dressing-room, particularly with the English core of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole. The club have no imminent plans to replace him. While many West Ham fans will oppose the appointment of an individual with such close ties to their rivals, it will also go down badly with Chelsea supporters because Clarke was voted into their team of the century three years ago and was the last surviving link with the pre-Roman Abramovich era. The 45-year-old made 421 appearances for the club between 1987 and 1998, before returning as youth-team coach five years later. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle4736185.ece
September 12, 200816 yr Clarke's decision to end more than 20 years with Chelsea came as a shock to the club, who had tried to keep him. After a series of meetings with Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, failed to bring a resolution, Clarke had little option but to leave. Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Chelsea manager, also attempted to persuade Clarke to stay, arguing that the Scot owed him a debt of loyalty after he allowed him to stay on this summer and claiming that his departure so close to the start of the season would reflect badly on the club. But after four years as No2 at Stamford Bridge, Clarke's mind was made up. Clarke's departure is a setback to Chelsea because he was very popular in the dressing-room, particularly with the English core of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole. The club have no imminent plans to replace him. fu*king damnit, Franco. Why now? I find these things troubling
September 12, 200816 yr Absolutely gutted, but deep down I think it had to be expected. Always liked his time with Jose, and then I think he stuck with Grant to help out the club he loved. Now, here is a chance for him to go on and further his own career, and good on him. However, this was the last tie I personally had with the club. One of my favourite players, and he was the last Scottish tie to the club. Cheers Stevie, fer everything Scott
September 12, 200816 yr Now, here is a chance for him to go on and further his own career, and good on him. i can't see how going to the spammers in the exact same position is a step forward. if anything, this is a step backwards...
September 12, 200816 yr Nothing on the official site as of yet, strange Kenyon was quick to blow his own trumpet when he thought he had Robinho in the bag, giving interviews, etc but not a word since his failure and now silence on this, it's Chelsea who are taking a step backwards not Clarke. Come on Roman show us som spunk - sack Kenyon today
September 12, 200816 yr Not exactly a surprise as it has been well documented that it was on the cards however still very disappointing. Clarke, for me, has been the face of Chelsea for a hell of a long time now. 21 years at the club bar a brief dalliance with Newcastle and he has served us with distinction throughout. Losing Clarke to West Ham is far more disappointing or me than Zola taking over there.
September 12, 200816 yr Losing Clarke to West Ham is far more disappointing or me than Zola taking over there. And me. It seems a step down. The fact he has left to go to a smaller club with the same role means he was clearly looking to go. Id thought he'd leave to become a boss outright, not this. As had been said the last link to 'old chelsea' has now gone and it does make me feel slightly uncomfortable.
September 12, 200816 yr wow i never saw this coming. stevie clarke was our last "good guy"... now the board from top to bottom is full of new money and no brits at all.... I understand that going to west ham with zola represents an exciting new challenge with one of the best possible guys as your boss you could want, and i wish him the utmost success there (except for when they play us ofc).. i still feel CFC is worse off now and we wont be getting anyone as good in until the day Zola comes back to us. thank you Stevie Clarke, for everything.
September 12, 200816 yr West Hams sponser has just gone bust, i wonder if they will take XL off their shirts now. It should'nt bother Dean Aston though, his already said XXL.
September 12, 200816 yr Nothing official on it yet, and The Times can't be trusted with such rumours, bring on The Sun!! However, I'll be deeply disappointed to see him leave CFC.
September 12, 200816 yr Gutting news if true. I can only echo the sentiments of others that he was the last of the old guard, and seemingly is taking a step backwards as he has become so disillusioned/bored with the Chelsea circus, which is a huge shame.
September 12, 200816 yr Not very good news at all be gutted to see him go. Can't really blame him for going as I think we only offered him a 1 year deal last time. Big mistake from Big Phil in my book . You will only be as good as your backroom staff and Clarke's knowledge of the teams and players in the premiership would be vital to Big Phil this year. I bet Grant didn't leave any dossiers on teams or players behind
September 12, 200816 yr Thanks for everything Clarkey - 20 years service and the last link to the pre Roman era. Great servant as a player and in the management role he's given the club, was assistant for our 1st 2 titles in over 50 years and a player in our 1st FA cup or 1st major trophy of my lifetime. Absolute legend!!!! Made over 400 apps I believe! I can understand him taking up the new challenge after becoming disillusioned with the club, however having 2 Chelsea legends at West Ham make it no easier to swallow. I'm gutted to be honest! Good Luck in whatever you decide to do after relegating West Ham
September 12, 200816 yr And me. It seems a step down. The fact he has left to go to a smaller club with the same role means he was clearly looking to go.Id thought he'd leave to become a boss outright, not this. As had been said the last link to 'old chelsea' has now gone and it does make me feel slightly uncomfortable. Agree with yourself, loz and Tim on this one. It may well be the pull of Gianfranco that has swung it but the whole structure of the managerial side of things may well have something to do with it. The Dutch influence from youth upward, Arneson ( the best ? still struggling to fathom what he has actually done since his arrival ?? ) Clarkey was very much hands on in Jose's days and even more in Grants, there is no doubt he is one of the best coaches out there, not a Manager as his Newcastle thing proved. Just why he never followed Jose to Inter is baffling, West Ham is a sure step backward. The other thing niggling on my mind is the fact that maybe he was kept on just to secure players contracts, there is no doubt Big Phil now conducts everything and that might be the key.
September 12, 200816 yr Good luck Clarkey. As someone else has said here, there goes the last link between me and my Chelsea. Frankly, I don't blame him for going at all. Anyone who has a boss who basically sidelines them and then says 'you owe it to me to stay because I only kept you on as a personal favour' is on a hiding to nothing. Bizarrely, I now found myself feeling that my estrangement from Chelsea is now complete. I wish the Blues all the best, as I do Franco, Clarkey, Wisey, Eidur, Hughes and all the other heroes I adored in my time who are still in the game.
September 12, 200816 yr Gutting news. Clarkey gone is a massive blow, and what with our dangerously thin squad, i worry for our season now.
September 12, 200816 yr Clarkey was very much hands on in Jose's days and even more in Grants, there is no doubt he is one of the best coaches out there, not a Manager as his Newcastle thing proved. his newcastle thing? you mean those 5 days as caretaker manager? well, i think you're right, newcastle played 1 match and they lost it, that means 100% lose ratio. total failure...
September 12, 200816 yr Apparently Chelsea has not accepted his resignation, so there is still hope. It will be a travesty if he left, a real true blue. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...sea/7612103.stm
September 12, 200816 yr http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0...1390457,00.html CFC says that they are negotiating, but I am sure it is a done deal! I am speechless. I don't blame him for leaving. But, I always thought it would be after his contract runs out and that he would take up as a 1st manager in PL or Championship! How can we hate WH now, when I really want Zola/Clarke tandem to succeed?!
September 12, 200816 yr TALKS CONTINUE OVER CLARKEPosted on: Fri 12 Sep 2008 Chelsea Football Club can confirm that West Ham United 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.