Chelsea reject West Ham target Clarke's resignation
Chelsea reveal club has rejected Steve Clarke's resignation so he can join Gianfranco Zola at West Ham
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West Ham United have officially presented Gianfranco Zola as the club's new manager to replace Alan Curbishley, who quit last week. |  |
Friday, 12, Sep 2008 10:40
Chelsea have revealed that assistant manager Steve Clarke's resignation has been rejected by the club.
Clarke is wanted at West Ham to link up with former Blues team-mate Gianfranco Zola, who was appointed as the Hammers' manager yesterday.
Amid reports West Ham had already agreed a three-year deal with Clarke to move across London, Chelsea said on Friday: "[We] 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."
Clarke's move to Upton Park would probably end his long association with the Blues. The former defender played at Stamford Bridge for 11 years before hanging up his boots, returning as a youth coach five years later.
He was then appointed as one of Jose Mourinho's assistants, a position he held on to when Avram Grant and then Luiz Felipe Scolari were appointed as Chelsea manager.