Clarke deal confirmed

Steve Clarke has ended any uncertainty over his future by signing a new four year contract with West Ham United.

Gianfranco Zola's number two, considered the signing of the season by many supporters finalised the new deal earlier today, three days after Zola himself committed to the club until 2013.

"I am delighted. I have had a great time since I came here," Clarke told whufc.com. "We have done okay. There is a lot more still to be done and the contract reflects that. It is a long-term contract and what Gianfranco and myself and the rest of the coaching staff look forward to is improving things and working hard every year to make things better and better at this football club.

"There is a close working relationship between us all. I think it is important as the players would spot straight away a weakness between the coaching staff. The manager and his staff have to be close and they have to believe in the same things. That is what we do and we try and give that message to the players and so far it has been okay.

"It is a big statement by the club. They want to keep this project together. They want the players to be part of it, the management to be part of it. Hopefully next year we will get more success than we have had this year. Not that I am saying this year wasn't good but we can be better - so we keep striving."