Clarke quits Chelsea
Luiz Felipe Scolari has suffered his first major setback as Chelsea manager after admitting defeat in his battle to keep long-serving club servant Steve Clarke on his coaching staff.
Clarke, who has been at Chelsea for over 20 years as player and coach, resigned on Friday because he wants to team up with his former Stamford Bridge teammate Gianfranco Zola, who was appointed as West Ham's new manager on Thursday.
Chelsea were officially refusing to release the former Scotland defender but Scolari made it clear he was resigned to losing a coach he relied on for insights into his squad and English football in general.
"Now I have been told he is going I am sad but I understand Steve," Scolari told reporters.
"All people have projects in their life. I don't agree with his decision but I am happy for him because I like Stevie. I like him as a person and as a coach and I wish him all the best."
The former Brazil and Portugal coach revealed that he had invited Clarke to his home on Thursday in an effort to persuade him to stay.
"I told him what I thought and this morning told (chief executive) Peter Kenyon what I think about Steve, that he is very important for me and for Chelsea.
"He is a man that is a link between me and the players and between me and the staff. He knows Chelsea very well and English players and clubs.
"When he told me about his projects I said to him I could be the man who would open more chances for him to be the head coach in England or in other countries.
"And I said I would give him more responsibility at Chelsea and would tell the press that Steve wanted to fly alone in the future. I don't know what happened in the night but when I came here in the morning I heard he had resigned."
The loss of Clarke is the second major setback for Chelsea this week, following the serious knee injury suffered by Michael Essien.
The Ghana international is facing a six-month lay-off after suffering rupturing a cruciate ligament on international duty.
Nigeria's John Mikel Obi has however been passed fit to play at Manchester City on Saturday while Didier Drogba is in the squad for the first time this season following his recovery from a knee injury.
Comments