West Ham appoint Clarke as coach

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.

"Steve is rightly regarded as one of the top coaches in Europe"
West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury

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."

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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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