Steve Clarke leaves West Ham coaching role after two seasons
Steve Clarke leaves West Ham after two seasons
Thursday, 10, Jun 2010 02:20
By Richard James.
West Ham have today confirmed first team coach Steve Clarke has left the club by mutual consent, one week after the appointment of Avram Grant as manager.
Clarke arrived at Upton Park as Gianfranco Zola's assistant in September 2008, having being part of Jose Mourinho's coaching staff at Chelsea.
Zola left West Ham last month and has since been replaced by former Portsmouth and Chelsea manager Avram Grant.
Commenting on his decision to leave West Ham, Clarke said: "I have enjoyed my time at West Ham. I was looking for a fresh challenge in football before I arrived and certainly got that.
"It was a good experience which will help me in the future. I would particularly like to thank the fans for all their support and the players and staff for their efforts.
"I will follow the club's progress with interest and I am sure, with the new stability off the pitch, that the team will have every opportunity to do well next season."
Clarke oversaw two very differing seasons at Upton Park, guiding the Hammers to ninth in the Premier League in his and Zola's first year in charge in 2008-09, before fighting off relegation the very next season, ending the last campaign in 17th and five points from the drop zone.