Steve Clarke has been appointed first-team coach to reunite him with
Gianfranco Zola
15.09.2008
West Ham United are delighted to confirm the appointment of Steve Clarke as
first-team coach working with new manager Gianfranco Zola.
The highly regarded Clarke, who left his post at Chelsea last week and was
able to move to the Boleyn Ground after a compensation package was agreed on
Monday, will be part of a strong coaching set-up. It also includes Kevin
Keen, who has been promoted to first-team coach, and goalkeeping coach Ludek
Miklosko. Clarke has agreed a three-year contract.
West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said: "We are very pleased to welcome
Steve Clarke to the club. Steve is rightly regarded as one of the top
coaches in Europe and his experience and knowledge will be a huge asset to
us. He recognises what we are trying to achieve at West Ham United and wants
to be a part of that. We have worked very hard to bring him on board and are
confident we now have the perfect coaching team."
Zola has also acquired the services of fitness coach Antonio Pintus, who has
top-level continental experience with Chelsea, Monaco and Juventus. He
joined in with training for the first time on Monday, working with the
club's head of sports science Nick Davies and conditioning coach Alex Dyer.
The 45-year-old Clarke has been in English football since moving as a player
from St Mirren to Stamford Bridge in 1987. The former right-back spent
eleven years in the first team at Chelsea, winning six Scotland caps, before
hanging up his boots. He then had a brief spell at Newcastle United as
assistant manager.
Clarke returned to Chelsea to work with the youth teams before becoming
assistant manager to Jose Mourinho in 2004. After helping them win several
major honours including two Premier League titles, he then worked under
Avram Grant after his appointment in 2007 and then under Luiz Felipe Scolari
upon his arrival in July.
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Reserves lose out in derby - WHUFC
Despite the best efforts of Jan Lastuvka, Chelsea proved too strong in the
opening game this season
15.09.2008
Chelsea reserves 2-0 West Ham United reserves
A youthful West Ham United side were edged out of their opening game of the
2008/09 FA Premier Reserve League South season.
After holding out for an hour against their hosts at the Griffin Park home
of Chelsea, Kevin Keen's young side were beaten by strikes from substitute
Michael Woods and Scott Sinclair. The first was a tap in from close range
but Sinclair's strike underlined why he is one of the country's most
promising talents with a mazy run and shot that gave the impressive Jan
Lastukva no chance in the 66th minute.
Lastuvka was probably the pick of the West Ham United side, with some superb
saves including most memorably in the 50th minute when Sinclair seemed
certain to score with a low shot into the corner. The Czech international
instinctively stuck out his leg and diverted the ball to safety.
West Ham United did have their moments, especially through Freddie Sears and
Junior Stanislas with the former looking to build on his two goals for the
Under-18s at the weekend. Chelsea had the clearer opportunities though but
they were thwarted by good goalkeeping and some decisive play by Bondz
N'Gala and Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson.
The heart of the West Ham United midfield was the relatively inexperienced
Tom Harvey and Josh Payne and the duo worked tirelessly with some strong
challenges and also bright forward play. It was Payne who had the first real
effort of note for the visitors on 28 minutes but his low shot was well
saved by Rhys Taylor. The closest Keen's team came in the second half was
Eyjolfsson's late header but again the goalkeeper was equal to it.
Chelsea: Rhys Taylor, Seth Ofori-Twumasi, Jeffrey Bruma, Michael Mancienne,
Carl Magnay, Liam Bridcutt (C), Scott Sinclair, Jacob Mellis (Nick Heimann
83), Morten Nielsen (Fabio Ferreira 76), Sergio Tejera Rodriguez (Michael
Woods 57), Miroslav Stoch
West Ham United: Jan Lastuvka, Ashley Miller, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, Bondz
N'Gala, Joe Widdowson (Ryan O'Neill 76), Anthony Edgar (Danny Kearns 80),
Josh Payne (Oliver Lee 76), Tom Harvey, Junior Stanislas, Freddie Sears,
Tony Stokes
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Reserves 0-2 Chelsea FT - WHUFC
All the action from the home of Brentford FC as West Ham United reserves
went down to Chelsea
15.09.2008
FA Premier Reserve League
Chelsea Reserves v West Ham United Reserves
Griffin Park
Kick-off: 7pm
Full time: Chelsea 2-0 West Ham United
90min - The referee blows his whistle to bring an entertaining encounter to
an end.
90min - We are into added time. There will be two minutes played.
87min - Time is ticking away but the youngsters are still going strong.
Kearns finds himself in the area but is just denied.
83min - Nick Heimann is on for Mellis.
80min - Danny Kearns is on for Edgar. Eyjolfsson then sees his powerful
header saved well by Taylor. The visitors, though less experienced than
their hosts, have not given up tonight.
78min - Sinclair and Ferreira link up well but they fail to find a finish
for their bright play.
76min - Fabio Ferreira makes way for Nielsen. Ryan O'Neill and Oliver Lee
are on for Payne and Widdowson.
73min - Nielsen tries to beat Lastuvka at his near post. It was preceded by
good work from Carl Magnay striding out of defence.
70min - Chelsea are pushing for a third but Sears and Stokes are still
working hard at the other end.
66min - GOAL! - Sinclair scores after a mazy run from the right wing took
him across the pitch and into the area. His low shot beat Lastuvka low to
his left.
62min - Stokes heads for goal from Stanislas's corner but it is deflected
wide. The next corner comes to nothing.
60min - GOAL! - Woods scores from close range with almost his first touch
after Stoch's cross from the left was deflected into his path. Chelsea had
been threatening.
57min - Michael Woods is on for Tejera Rodriguez.
57min - Mellis curls one just past the post. Lastuvka was never worried.
55min - Chances are at a premium but both sides are working hard in midfield
areas. A good block by Miller denies Nielsen an opening on the left of the
area.
51min - Lastuvka comes and punches clear cleanly, leaving Mancienne on the
floor after he rose to try and win the ball.
50min - A great save from Lastuvka. The Czech goalkeeper stuck out his right
leg to stop Sinclair's low shot fizzing into the corner. Chelsea have begun
brightly.
46min - Chelsea get us under way again.
45min - Half-time
45min - Sinclair goes close with a low shot.
37min - Stokes and Sears have combined well and look an effective
partnership.
34min - Sears forces Michael Mancienne into conceding a corner.
31min - Good passing and movement from West Ham United finishes with Sears
going over on the edge of the area. Chelsea get the free-kick though.
29min - Stanislas produces a good save from Rhys Taylor with a long-range
shot from the edge of area.
26min - Mellis breaks away down the right and gets beyond Widdowson.
However, his shot with the outside of his right foot just curls away from
goal with Lastuvka ready to save.
24min - Bondz N'Gala does well with a good block before striding out of
defence. The centre-half has looked assured so far.
21min - Scott Sinclair races away but a combination of Eyjolfsson and
Lastuvka keep the ball out. Stoch then gets a chance to shoot after the
corner but Lastuvka claims it.
20min - A solid tackle by Tom Harvey is swiftly followed by neat footwork
from Josh Payne. There are a lot of youngsters on view but they are
contributing to an entertaining contest.
17min - Chelsea have had a couple of long-range efforts in the last minute.
Nothing to trouble Lastuvka though.
13min - Miller makes a superb tackle to deny Tejera Rodriguez. Chelsea then
fail to capitalise on the corner.
9min - Joe Widdowson brings down Morten Nielsen on the edge of the area.
Stoch takes the free-kick from a central position but his effort smashes
into the West Ham United wall.
8min - Stanislas whips in a left-wing free-kick but Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson
was just unable to reach it.
7min - Jacob Mellis just fails to connect with a left-wing cross. Chelsea
are having a good spell.
6min - Seth Ofori-Twumasi bursts down the right and forces a corner after
good covering by Bondz N'Gala. The set-piece comes to nothing.
5min - Freddie Sears is hoping to add to his two goals for the Under-18s at
the weekend. He is up front with Stokes.
3min - Junior Stanislas and Tony Stokes go close before Chelsea break and
have a good opportunity of their own through Miroslav Stoch. Jan Lastuvka
saves well at his near post.
1min - West Ham United get us under way
Chelsea: Rhys Taylor, Seth Ofori-Twumasi, Jeffrey Bruma, Michael Mancienne,
Carl Magnay, Liam Bridcutt (C), Scott Sinclair, Jacob Mellis (Nick Heimann
83), Morten Nielsen (Fabio Ferreira 76), Sergio Tejera Rodriguez (Michael
Woods 57), Miroslav Stoch
West Ham United: Jan Lastuvka, Ashley Miller, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, Bondz
N'Gala, Joe Widdowson (Ryan O'Neill 76), Anthony Edgar (Danny Kearns 80),
Josh Payne (Oliver Lee 76), Tom Harvey, Junior Stanislas, Freddie Sears,
Tony Stokes
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West Ham appoint Clarke as coach - BBC
Chelsea assistant coach Steve Clarke has joined West Ham as their new first-
team coach after the clubs reached a financial settlement. The 45-year-old
Clarke joins West Ham on a three-year deal, joining up with new boss
Gianfranco Zola, after handing in his resignation last Thursday. Chelsea had
sought £5m compensation for the Scot, with West Ham offering £1m, but a
compromise has now been agreed. Clarke spent 20 seasons at Chelsea, both as
a player and as a coach. Zola's revamp of the Hammers backroom staff has
also seen Antonio Pintus, another ex-Chelsea employee who has worked with
Juventus, brought in as fitness coach. Clarke will work at Upton Park
alongside fellow first-team coach Kevin Keen and goalkeeping coach Ludek
Miklosko. Clarke had two years left of his current deal at Stamford Bridge
after signing a new contract in the wake of Jose Mourinho's departure as
manager in September 2007. West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "We
are very pleased to welcome Steve Clarke to the club. "Steve is rightly
regarded as one of the top coaches in Europe and his experience and
knowledge will be a huge asset to us. "He recognises what we are trying to
achieve at West Ham United and wants to be a part of that. "We have worked
very hard to bring him on board and are confident we now have the perfect
coaching team."
The Scot joined the Blues as a player in January 1987 and the defender
helped the club win the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup
before retiring in September 1998. He went on to become to become Ruud
Gullit's assistant at Newcastle and had a brief spell as caretaker manager
at the Tyneside club after the Dutchman's exit in August 1999 before working
under Sir Bobby Robson at St James' Park. Clarke returned to Chelsea - where
Zola enjoyed a successful playing stint between 1996-2003 - and has assisted
Mourinho, Avram Grant and current Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari. Scolari
held talks with Clarke on Wednesday and the Brazilian admitted he would be
"sad" to lose him from the coaching set-up.
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Clarke's a Hammer - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 15th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
Chelsea have agreed to let Steve Clarke join West Ham after the two clubs
agreed a compensation package, according to reports. The Sun are reporting
that the two clubs have agreen a deal worth around £1.5million that will
enable the coach - currently on gardening leave - to join former team mate
Gianfranco Zola at United.
Chelsea had initially rejected Clarke's resignation claiming that he had
been 'tapped up' by the Hammers. The basis for their stance was an interview
given by 'transfer consultant' Kia Joorabchian last week in which he claimed
Clarke was set to join Zola at Upton Park, despite still being under
contract at Stamford Bridge. In a somewhat surprising move Chelsea's Frank
Lampard, so often the target of Hammers fans' abuse following comments made
about his former club in the past backed the move, stating: "Clarkey has
been an unbelievable servant for Chelsea for many years as a player and as a
coach. He has been an important member of the back-room staff for what we've
done over the last few years. "But if he feels he wants to go and do
something different - I know he has intentions to be a manager in his own
right - you can only wish him all the best."
Meanwhile, Gianfranco Zola - to whom Clarke was recommended by former
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho - took his first training session with his new
players at Chadwell Heath this morning.
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Duxbury welcomes Clarke - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 15th September 2008
By: Staff Writer
CEO Scott Duxbury has welcomed first-team coach Steve Clarke to the club,
calling him 'a huge asset'. The club have now confirmed KUMB.com's story
from earlier in the day announcing Clarke's appointment, whilst also
confirming that a compensation deal was thrashed out with his former club
Chelsea this morning allowing Clarke to once again team up with Gianfranco
Zola. "We are very pleased to welcome Steve Clarke to the club," Duxbury
said in an announcement on whufc.com. "Steve is rightly regarded as one of
the top coaches in Europe and his experience and knowledge will be a huge
asset to us. "He recognises what we are trying to achieve at West Ham United
and wants to be a part of that. We have worked very hard to bring him on
board and are confident we now have the perfect coaching team."
Clarke is believed to have cost United around £1million in compensation to
his former club, who had tried to prevent the popular coach from leaving
Stamford Bridge.
West Ham United have also confirmed the promotion of Kevin Keen to first
team coach whilst goalkeeping coach Ludo Miklosko is also understood to have
signed a new deal at the club.
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Clarke seals Hammers switch - SSN
Scots ends 21-year Stamford Bridge career
Last updated: 15th September 2008
West Ham United have finally secured Steve Clarke's services from Chelsea.
The former Scottish international has ended his 21-year association with the
Blues by accepting a role as part of new Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola's
backroom staff. Clarke resigned as Chelsea coach last week, only for the
Blues to reject it - but they have now agreed compensation with The Hammers
and he has agreed a three-year deal at Upton Park. Hammers chief executive
Scott Duxbury admitted the club were delighted to have lured Clarke across
London. "We are very pleased to welcome Steve Clarke to the club," Duxbury
told the club's website. "Steve is rightly regarded as one of the top
coaches in Europe and his experience and knowledge will be a huge asset to
us. He recognises what we are trying to achieve at West Ham United and wants
to be a part of that. "We have worked very hard to bring him on board and
are confident we now have the perfect coaching team."
Clarke takes his place as first-team coach along with Kevin Keen - who is
promoted to first-team duties after previously being in charge of the
reserve team. Goalkeeping coach Ludek Miklosko also remains, whilst Antonio
Pintus has come in as fitness coach.
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Steve Clarke is ours. - West Ham Online
Kenny G - Mon Sep 15 2008
Steve Clarke has been confirmed as West Ham United's first team coach with a
three year deal. Chelsea failed to accept Clarke's resignation last week but
agreed a compensation figure with West Ham today, allowing Clarke to join
Gianfranco Zola in a new management team at Upton Park. "We are very pleased
to welcome Steve Clarke to the club," West Ham's Duxbury said on the club's
website "Steve is rightly regarded as one of the top coaches in Europe and
his experience and knowledge will be a huge asset to us. We are confident we
have the perfect coaching team." Welcome Steve, we're happy to have you and
Zola with us.
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West Ham United appoint Steve Clarke - Telegraph
Former Chelsea coach Steve Clarke has joined Gianfranco Zola at West Ham as
the East London club's first team coach on a three-year contract.
By Charlie Caroe and agencies
Last Updated: 7:07PM BST 15 Sep 2008
Clarke, 45, who had been the assistant first team coach at Stamford Bridge
since the summer of 2004, had been instrumental in the club's success under
Jose Mourinho when they won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and three
League Cups. Following the appointment of Gianfranco Zola as the first
foreign manager of West Ham United on Thursday last week, Clarke tendered
his resignation to the Stamford Bridge hierarchy on Friday as he sought to
join the former Chelsea midfielder at Upton Park. The former Scottish
international appears to have been allowed to leave Chelsea despite the
Champions League finalists' attempts to persuade him to remain as part of
the back-room staff under new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. Clarke had been
singled out as the ideal partner for Zola at West Ham, as his interest in
solid defence would sit well alongside the Italian's desire to bring an
attacking edge to his new team. The two played together for seven years at
Stamford Bridge, between 1996 and 2003, and news of his appointment at West
Ham means that Chelsea, despite initially rejecting the Scotsman's request,
were unsuccessful in their negotiations after putting the coach on gardening
leave on over the weekend. Zola officially takes charge of West Ham today,
and will be pleased that a key part of his team is now in place, as he
overseas the reserves this evening as they take on Chelsea at Brentford's
Griffin Park. Zola's revamp of his backroom staff has also seen Antonio
Pintus, another ex-Chelsea employee who has worked with Juventus, brought in
as fitness coach. Pintus had his first involvement with the players in a
training session today.
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West Ham and Chelsea agree compensation package for Steve Clarke - The Times
Steve Clarke has left Chelsea for West Ham after the two clubs agreed a
compensation package
Gary Jacob
Chelsea were left counting the cost last night as Steve Clarke completed his
move from Stamford Bridge to Upton Park. Chelsea had hoped to receive £5
million in compensation for the loss of a valued member of their backroom
staff, but settled for a sum in the region of £1 million.
Clarke has been appointed first-team coach to Gianfranco Zola, the new West
Ham United manager, and is likely to start work today. Zola, who took charge
of training for the first time yesterday after being appointed last week,
had named Clarke as his preferred coach when he was interviewed for the job.
The Scot agreed a three-year contract, likely to be less than half the value
of his deal at Stamford Bridge that was worth £600,000 a year, plus a
possible £200,000 in bonuses, and had another two years to run. Chelsea are
thought to have had a clause inserted in the settlement that prevents West
Ham - the East London club will pay the compensation in instalments - from
recruiting any other Chelsea staff for several months.
Clarke resigned as Chelsea's assistant first-team coach on Thursday, but
this was rejected by the club, who threatened to put him on gardening leave,
as well as report West Ham to the Premier League for tapping-up their
employee.
Clarke, 45, is believed to have wanted a new challenge after appearing to be
marginalised this season. He made an important contribution as an assistant
under José Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, and was in charge of most
of the training sessions under Avram Grant, the successor to the Portuguese,
but has had less involvement under Luiz Felipe Scolari.
He was popular in the Chelsea dressing-room and the club have no imminent
plans to replace the man who began his association with Chelsea as a player
in 1987.
Kevin Keen, the reserve-team coach, who was in charge of West Ham's 3-2
defeat away to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, has been promoted to take
on first-team duties, helped by Ludek Miklosko, the goalkeeping coach.
"Steve is rightly regarded as one of the top coaches in Europe and his
experience will be a huge asset to us," Scott Duxbury, the West Ham chief
executive, said. "He recognises what we are trying to achieve and wants to
be a part of that. We are confident we now have the perfect coaching team."
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Clarke takes pay cut to join Zola
Dominic Fifield The Guardian, Tuesday September 16 2008
Steve Clarke served as Ruud Gullit's assistant manager at Newcastle United.
Steve Clarke will begin work as Gianfranco Zola's No2 at West Ham United
this morning having secured his release from Chelsea after protracted and
occasionally strained talks between the clubs finally resulted in a
compromise over compensation last night.
West Ham will pay about £1m to secure the Scot, who has severed a 20-year
association with the Stamford Bridge club to move across the capital. Clarke
had been Zola's preferred choice and had suggested his former club-mate at
his interview last week, only for Chelsea's board to block the 45-year-old's
appointment and turn down his resignation request.
The Chelsea manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, had still hoped to persuade him to
remain in position as assistant first-team coach - he had two years to run
on a contract worth a basic £600,000-a-year - and even suggested he might
offer him new responsibilities at the club, but Clarke was determined to
pursue a fresh challenge alongside Zola.
He has signed a three-year contract and taken what amounts to a considerable
pay cut. His new deal is worth about £400,000-a-year but he will take up his
duties in training at Chadwell Heath today.
"We are very pleased to welcome Steve Clarke to the club," said the West Ham
chief executive, Scott Duxbury. "Steve is rightly regarded as one of the top
coaches in Europe and his experience and knowledge will be a huge asset to
us. He recognises what we are trying to achieve at West Ham United and wants
to be a part of that. We have worked very hard to bring him on board and are
confident we now have the perfect coaching team."
Zola, flanked by his new fitness coach Antonio Pintus, who worked at
Stamford Bridge when Gianluca Vialli was Chelsea manager, oversaw his first
session yesterday, having watched Saturday's 3-2 defeat at West Bromwich
Albion from the stands. His first game will be this Saturday's visit of
managerless Newcastle United. Kevin Keen, the Hammers' reserve team coach
who took charge at The Hawthorns, is staying at the club.
Clarke's departure from Chelsea represents something of a blow, particularly
as the Scot was close to the British contingent of players in the dressing
room, and his presence had provided some level of continuity through the
successive regimes of Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant and now
Scolari.
The Brazilian brought his own staff with him in the summer and Clarke is
understood to have felt marginalised and his duties had been reduced.
Chelsea have no plans as yet to replace him.
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Hammers reach £1m settlement with Chelsea for assistant boss Steve Clarke -
Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 11:58 PM on 15th September 2008
Steve Clarke has been given the green light to begin working with Gianfranco
Zola at West Ham after the Upton Park club reached an agreement with
Chelsea. Clarke, who had been at Stamford Bridge for more than 20 years, was
the subject of a dispute over compensation after resigning from his post as
Chelsea coach following the appointment of Zola as West Ham's new manager.
Chelsea refused to accept Clarke's resignation and wanted £4.8million in
compensation, while West Ham offered around £600,000. It is believed that
West Ham increased that figure to around £1m today and Chelsea have now
agreed to let Clarke leave Stamford Bridge. Blues midfielder Frank Lampard
had earlier urged his club to let the Scot reunite with his former Chelsea
teammate, saying: "If he goes to West Ham it will be a loss, but I don't
think you can ever take away a man's right to do what he wants to do.
"Clarkey has been an unbelievable servant for Chelsea for many years as a
player and as a coach. "He has been an important member of the back-room
staff for what we've done over the last few years. But if he feels he wants
to go and do something different - I know he has intentions to be a manager
in his own right - you can only wish him all the best."
Chelsea today appealed against the red card John Terry received at
Manchester City on Saturday. Referee Mark Halsey dismissed Terry for serious
foul play when he stopped City striker Jo from running through on goal. The
Football Association confirmed that Chelsea had submitted a claim for
wrongful dismissal and an FA regulatory commission will consider the appeal
tomorrow. The Blues skipper faces missing the next League games against
Manchester United and Stoke and the Carling Cup tie at Portsmouth.
Meanwhile, former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink today announced
his retirement. The 36-year-old spent last season with FA Cup finalists
Cardiff.
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West Ham and Chelsea agree Clarke deal
Monday, 15 September 2008
Independent.co.uk Web
Chelsea and West Ham have reportedly reached an agreement over compensation
for assistant coach Steve Clarke's move to the east London club. The deal is
set to be announced later today.
Clarke, 45, had two years left on his contract as assistant manager at
Stamford Bridge. Chelsea reportedly wanted £5m to allow him to move, but
West Ham were unwilling to pay the fee. An agreement is said to have been
reached at £1m compensation.
West Ham named Gianfranco Zola's as their new manager on Thursday. Clarke is
being lined up as Zola's assistant manager - the pair know each other from
their time at Chelsea together - Zola played for the club from 1996-2003.
Clarke joined Chelsea as a player in 1987 and retired in 1998. He was Rudd
Gullit's assistant at Newcastle before returning to Chelsea becoming Jose
Mourinho's assistant manager. He remained in the job during the reign of
Mourinho, and his successor Avram Grant. Clarke's role was said to have
diminished since Luiz Felipe Scolari took over at Stamford Bridge and he
attempted to resign on Thursday, hoping to set up his West Ham move.
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CLARKE BECOMES A HAMMER - Football365
Posted 16/09/08 06:40
West Ham finally got their man on Monday night as they agreed a deal to
prise Steve Clarke from Chelsea. Three days after the former Scotland
international stunned the Stamford Bridge hierarchy by handing in his
resignation ahead of an expected move to join Gianfranco Zola's Upton Park
revolution, Clarke got his wish. Chelsea were reported to have demanded up
to £5million in compensation for the loss of their assistant first-team
coach, but a deal was reached for what is believed to be a far lesser sum.
West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "We are very pleased to welcome
Steve Clarke to the club. "Steve is rightly regarded as one of the top
coaches in Europe and his experience and knowledge will be a huge asset to
us. "He recognises what we are trying to achieve at West Ham United and
wants to be a part of that. "We have worked very hard to bring him on board
and are confident we now have the perfect coaching team."
Clarke spent 11 years as a player at Stamford Bridge from 1987 and returned
to the club as a youth team coach following a short spell as Newcastle's
assistant manager. He was promoted to become Jose Mourinho's assistant
manager following the Portuguese's arrival in 2004 and went on to work under
both Avram Grant and current Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari. Clarke has
agreed a three-year contract and will work alongside fellow first-team coach
Kevin Keen and goalkeeping coach Ludek Miklosko. "The club would like to
take this opportunity to thank Steve for his many years of loyal service to
the club, and wish him the very best in his new position at West Ham," a
statement on the Blues' website, www.chelseafc.com, read. "His departure
ends an association with the club that began over 21 years ago and apart
from a short spell as a coach at Newcastle, has been continuous." The
statement added: "Steve Clarke will forever be a true Chelsea legend."
Zola's revamp of the Hammers backroom staff has also seen Antonio Pintus,
another ex-Chelsea employee who has worked with Juventus, brought in as
fitness coach. Pintus had his first involvement with the players in a
training session on Monday.
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Chelsea send Clarke to West Ham with "legend" tag
16.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
Chelsea have declared Steve Clarke a club legend after allowing him to join
West Ham United last night. Despite their bitter compo stand-off, Chelsea
released a statement last night: "The club would like to take this
opportunity to thank Steve for his many years of loyal service to the club,
and wish him the very best in his new position at West Ham. "His departure
ends an association with the club that began over 21 years ago and apart
from a short spell as a coach at Newcastle, has been continuous." The
statement added: "Steve Clarke will forever be a true Chelsea legend."
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West Ham skipper Neill excited by Zola arrival
16.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham captain Lucas Neill is excited about playing for new manager
Gianfranco Zola. "He has already expressed his desire to play out from the
back and play a more creative brand of football," said Neill. "He'd like a
bit more patience and passing, which we all want to play anyway." Neill
also paid tribute to former manager Alan Curbishley when he said: "We can be
grateful for what he did for us because he kept us up, had a difficult time
last year with the squad and got us off to a good start this year."
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Zola enjoys first West Ham training session in charge
16.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
Gianfranco Zola enjoyed taking charge of his first training session as West
Ham United manager yesterday. Assisted by Kevin Keen and new fitness coach
Antonio Pintus, Zola put a full squad of players through their paces. Dean
Ashton trained despite having stitches in his ear against West Bromwich
Albion on Saturday, while youngsters Freddie Sears, Kyel Reid and James
Tomkins all looked determined to impress in the Italian's first session.
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Boa Morte delighted to work with new West Ham boss Zola
16.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United winger Luis Boa Morte has welcomed the arrival of new
manager Gianfranco Zola. Boa Morte said: "We are excited and looking to
carry on the work we have done with Kevin with the new gaffer. He [Zola] is
a young manager who I feel will bring a fresh and different mentality to our
club. "We are all looking forward to working with him because he did not
stop playing that long ago and so that knowledge will be very good. For
myself, I look forward to working with Gianfranco and improving my game with
him. I believe very strongly he can be a very good manager for us." On
working with caretaker coach Kevin Keen, Boa Morte also told whufc.com: "We
all enjoyed working with Kevin, it was very good for all of us and we felt
that although we lost, we took much of what we had done into the game and it
was very positive. "We passed the ball around well and created lots of
chances, what we must do now is step up and make sure we put those other
chances away this weekend. All the boys want to thank Kevin because we were
really pleased with what he did for us and I think he was pleased too, with
our work-rate and effort on the pitch."
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West Ham confident landing new sponsor after XL
16.09.08 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United are confident of securing a new sponsor after losing travel
operator XL. A club spokesman said the situation would not impact upon the
team and that the Premier League club had already received several new
offers of sponsorship, particularly following the appointment of Gianfranco
Zola as manager.
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Clarkes The Perect Fit For West Ham - WestHamFans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 15 September, 2008 - 20:16.
Steve Clarke probably represents West Ham United's shrewdish piece of
business in many a long year. Signing on a three year deal after a
protracted leaving process from Chelsea, Clarke will add a much needed bite
to the Hammers defence as well as keeping a grip on new manager Gian Franco
Zola's Tora Tora Tora tendencies. The exact terms of the deal are not known,
but there is a rumour, as yet unsubstantiated, that Chelsea's pay off either
revolves around Hammers rescinding part of the sell on clause relating to
the transfer of Joe Cole or paying up to £1.5 Million. Cole's transfer had a
25% sell on fee should the player move clubs and attain consistent full
England status. The acquisition of Clarke shows that maybe the Board aren't
as feckless as some fans have made them out to be, of course it could all go
belly up in the future, but at least it promises to be exciting!-Ed
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Steve Clarke factfile - TeamTalk
TEAMtalk takes a closer look at the career to date of Steve Clarke, who has
left Chelsea to become first-team coach at West Ham.
1963: Born in Saltcoats, Scotland on August 23.
1982: Signs first professional contract for St Mirren, for whom he plays 152
times, scoring six goals.
1987: Transfers to Chelsea for £422,000.
1994: Wins Chelsea player of the year award.
1997: Lines up alongside Frank Leboeuf in the heart of Chelsea's defence in
the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup final.
1998: March - Features as a 75th-minute substitute in the League Cup final
victory over Middlesbrough.
May - Captains the Blues to a 1-0 victory over Stuttgart in the UEFA Cup
Winners' Cup. It his 421st and final appearance for the Blues - the fifth
highest for the club.
1999: After taking the assistant manager's job to Ruud Gullit at Newcastle,
manages the Magpies in September's 5-1 defeat at Manchester United and
September's 1-0 loss at Chelsea.
2004: After a stint in charge of the youth teams at Chelsea, appointed as
assistant manager to Jose Mourinho prior to the 2004-05 season. Rules
himself out of the running for the vacant Scotland manager's job.
2005: Still part of the set-up at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea win the Premier
League title in 2004-05.
2006: Again assistant to Mourinho as the club win the 2005-06 Premier League
title.
2007: May - Chelsea defeat Manchester United in extra-time to win the FA
Cup.
September - Mourinho leaves but Clarke continues in his role as assistant to
Avram Grant.
2008: May - Linked to vacancies at Everton and Leicester but remains at
Chelsea, with new boss Luis Felipe Scolari citing the Scot's contribution as
"important to the club's history".
September 12 - Resigns position at Chelsea.
September 15 - Appointed first-team coach at West Ham.
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The New West Ham Chant - West Ham Till I Die
Sing loud, song clear…
From Stamford Bridge to Upton Park .. We've nicked your Zola and your Clarke
…
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Everton, Liverpool, West Ham and Sunderland starts chase for Leicester
defender
SOCCERVOICE.COM, 15.09.2008
Leicester made a signing today that will start new speculations about their
current players future at the club, one of them will most certainly leave
the club in January
England U.21 international Joe Mattock, is most certainly on the way out at
Leicester. Mattock, currently injured and out of action, has been replaced
by Chris Powell and Bruno Berner. Both players have great experience and are
good replacements for Mattock. Mattock valued to £ 3 million was heavilly
linked with a move in the summer, but nothing happened and Mattock stayed
with Leicester. West Ham, Liverpool, Sunderland and Everton were all
rumoured to be chasing Mattock and they will most certainly continue their
hunt when the transfer window opens in January.
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Zola scuppers Sunderland striker bid - FansFC
06:23 September, 16, 2008
Carlton Cole is ready to turn his back on a move to Sunderland Football
Club. Roy Keane was set to make an offer of around £5million for the striker
in January, but following Gianfranco Zola's appointment as West Ham United
boss, the player sees his future at Upton Park. "He wants to put his style
of play and all of his experiences into how we play and these are exciting
times for West Ham United," Cole told the Daily Star. "I've got so much
respect for him. "I'm not licking his bum, I'm just saying everyone knows
he's a model pro. I don't see his lack of managerial experience a risk, he's
been through all levels and I think he'll do a great job here."
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