West Ham Get Their Man As Chelsea Agree to Release Clarke

West Ham have appointed Steve Clarke as first-team coach after a compensation package was agreed with Chelsea today. Clarke's resignation on Friday was initially rejected by the Blues hierarchy, but it seems the impasse has now been overcome and Clarke will get his wish of teaming up with the Hammers new manager, Gianfranco Zola, at Upton Park.

Although Chelsea demanded substantial compensation, reported to be as much as £5m, for Clarke the London clubs are now thought to have settled on a lower figure. Zola, who played with Clarke during his time at Chelsea, is thought to have consulted Jose Mourinho about appointing the Scotsman. Mourinho and Clarke formed a successful partnership at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 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."

Clarke spent 11 years as a player with Chelsea 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 Mourinho's assistant following the Portuguese's arrival, and went on to work under both Avram Grant and the current Chelsea manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari.