Steve Clarke named West Brom head coach after Liverpool exit

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Steve Clarke
Steve Clarke

West Brom have appointed Steve Clarke as their head coach on a two-year deal.

The 48-year-old left his role at Liverpool on Wednesday, where he was assistant manager before Kenny Dalglish's dismissal in May.

It is Clarke's first job as head coach after spells on the backroom staff at Newcastle, Chelsea and Liverpool.

"Becoming a head coach in my own right has always been an ambition of mine and I feel I have served my apprenticeship," Clarke said.

"I've done everything I could as an assistant. I'm absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity.

"I'm delighted West Brom have given me the chance to make that progression and I'm determined to make the most of it."

Clarke's appointment ends West Brom's month-long search for a new boss after Roy Hodgson joined England.

The former Chelsea assistant had emerged as a leading contender for the West Brom job after his departure from Anfield was confirmed by the League Managers' Association (LMA).

Newly appointed Norwich boss Chris Hughton, former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri, Ray Wilkins and former Schalke boss Ralf Rangnick had also been linked with the role.

West Brom sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth revealed that Clarke's coaching ability was key to his being chosen.

He said: "We firmly believe we have appointed the right man to keep the club moving forward.

"After Roy was appointed as England manager we cast the net far and wide to identify the most suitable candidate to fill his shoes.

"From the outset we decided to pursue candidates who are renowned for their coaching ability and Steve was very much at the forefront of our thoughts because of the clubs he has worked at and the high regard he is held in within the game.

"Steve has a real hunger and drive to succeed as a number one and is excited about the ongoing project we have at the club."

Clarke parted company with Liverpool on "amicable terms", the LMA said on Wednesday.

Last week Liverpool appointed Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers as manager.

Clarke, who was number two to Dalglish, offered his resignation when Dalglish was sacked, but the club rejected it.

He was Dalglish's first major appointment in January 2011, arriving at Anfield after coaching spells at Newcastle, Chelsea and West Ham.

The LMA said Clarke, who played over 400 games for Chelsea during an 11-year career with the Londoners, was now "looking forward to the next challenge in his career".

It was Hodgson's departure from Liverpool that led to Clarke moving to Anfield alongside Dalglish.

Hodgson steered West Brom to 10th place in the Premier League last season.

Among Clarke's first tasks will be to try to make goalkeeper Ben Foster's loan move from Birmingham a permanent one, although he is also a target for QPR.

Central defender Jonas Olsson, part of Sweden's Euro 2012 squad, is also entering the last year of his current deal.

Former Scotland international Clarke worked under Ruud Gullit and Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and Gianfranco Zola at West Ham.

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85 comments

  • @ 27 - like Bob Paisley?

  • Steve Clark has proven himself as a coach, and particularly as a defensive organiser. He knows the league inside out, and he's worked with big egos and big clubs. With WBA's system, they're playing to his strengths and reducing the risk of a series of dud purchases from someone inexperienced in the transfer market. I think you've been shrewd and managed the risk of the appointment pretty well.

  • It's no coincidence that Liverpools defensive record was only bettered by the two Manchester clubs last year. A top defensive coach who will be sorely missed at LFC. I wish him all the best and hope he has an excellent season (apart from against LFC)

  • Steve Clark has served his time with some of the best teams and footballers in England. His coaching ability and knowledge of the game is top class
    As with any appointment there are risks but as a true Albion fan Steve Clark is an outstanding choice and I wish him well

  • Well done to West Brom for once again taking a risk on an inexperienced coach after doing the same with Di Matteo a few years back. Just shows you don't need to resort to the same merry-go-round of McLeish/Grant/Megson etc.

  • i don`t think i was my wife`s first choice but we have been happily marrried for 18 years.
    i have always liked and rated steve clarke as a coach so all i can say is welcome and i hope you enjoy your time at the albion.
    boing boing.

  • The appointment itself is not bad but the process is flawed.Dan Ashworth is not qualified to lead the search,or decide who comes and goes on the playing and coaching staff. It is he who runs the football club,a failed Cambridge goalkeeper with no qualifications but the ear of Jeremy Peace.

  • Liverpool fans, ending your posts; YNWA is both pretentious and annoying. Please stop, its not as if:

    ''Mes que un club''

  • Welcome to the Baggies Steve.

    Lets hope you receive the support of the fans, the backing from the board and most importantly the commitment from the players.

    Nice to see a new face on the scene rather than the same old-same old tired names being bandied about.

    May your first appointment as Head Coach be a success and may your time at the Baggies be on of steady improvement for the club.

  • some of the negative comments on here defy belief!!!

    the guy is one the best coaches in the premier league over the last decade

    he deserves a lot of respect

    and peace is no mug either
    and i somehow don't think mr clarke will be cheap either

  • Its strange how football becomes a bit of a "merry-go round". Hodgson leaves Liverpool and goes to WBA. Ex Chelsea loyal servant Steve Clarke does the same. Di Matteo is sacked by WBA and goes back to his old club Chelsea and lifts the biggest trophy in Club football in a matter of 4 months !!! You could'nt write about it !!

  • It's a little funny to read the posts. A majority of Baggies fans are underwhelmed or feel a sense of doom. While Liverpool and Chelsea fans give Steve so much credit for a miserly defence last season or supporting past managers. He may not be the safe pick, ala Hughton, but he's worked at premier league clubs.

    Good luck to him and Baggies fans - keep it in perspective and give him a chance.

  • Those saying he is our new manager are incorrect. Our role is indeed a head coach, with the majority of Recruitment and Analysis performed by our Sporting & Technical Director Dan Ashworth.

    and @ 27 - You are missing the fact a lot of people wanted Hughton who didn't become his own man until age 50 with Newcastle.

  • Eewires- Clarke will be doing the buying, he gets final say on all transfers. Dan Ashworth's essentially a Head Scout who provides a database of potential targets & acts as Head Coach & Chairman go-between.

    Freindliewhocares- You & others may criticise Board for this, but their 10-year tenure has coincided with a remarkable rise in fortunes. They deserve chance to prove everybody wrong again.

  • My initial reaction was disappointment. This turned into puzzlement, quickly followed by intrigue. Finally after thoughtful consideration I now find myself thinking actually this is a superb appointment. As has already been said West Brom use a continental style of management so Steve Clarke will be head coach and this I feel will suit him and us perfectly.

  • I would absolutely agree with 20. rojox - he's got an excellent track record of defensive solidity, which is exactly where lower/mid-table teams need to start to consolidate their PL status. Inspired appointment for them and I still appreciate that without the defensive solidity we had last season, LFC could have finished alot worse than they did.

  • It is important to remember that this is an appointment as Head Coach and not Manager. The 'managerial' responsibilities are undertaken by Dan Ashworth. Taking that in to account and Steve Clarke's track record as a coach (I'll hold my hands up to being underwhelmed when the news broke yesterday) this could be an inspired appointment.

    Let's give the guy a chance (and some cash, Albion!).

  • Due to the high increase in wages and player values there is a higher risk of failure, players are bought by joint agreement at a club. The manager identifies an area and may suggest a name. Then the technical director suggest alternatives. The scout network does it's job. Don't forget the player agents are professional negotiators. Clubs need a similar person to and that isn't always the manager.

  • I believe the proper parlance is Gutted. As soon as Dalglish resigned I wanted Clarky back at Chelsea in any capacity.

    The poor reaction by WBA fans is astounding. With all the comings and goings of Chelsea managers over the years Steve Clarke was a constant. Just a coach? He was a Chelsea captain on and off the field. He inspires as well as educates and he is a fighter.

  • Can Steven Clarke 'Boing Boing' bagies into europe, or will he 'Yo Yo' them back to the championship.

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