Steve Clarke
Stephen Clarke (born 29 August 1963) is a Scottish professional football manager and former player who is the manager of the Scotland national team.
| Clarke as manager of Scotland in 2019 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stephen Clarke[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 29 August 1963[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Saltcoats, Scotland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Scotland (manager) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Beith Juniors | |||
| 1982–1987 | St Mirren | 200 | (7) |
| 1987–1998 | Chelsea | 330 | (7) |
| Total | 530 | (14) | |
| International career | |||
| 1983[3] | Scotland U19 | ||
| 1983–1985[4] | Scotland U21 | 8 | (0) |
| 1987–1990[5] | Scotland B | 2 | (0) |
| 1987–1994 | Scotland | 6 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1999 | Newcastle United (caretaker) | ||
| 2012–2013 | West Bromwich Albion | ||
| 2014–2015 | Reading | ||
| 2017–2019 | Kilmarnock | ||
| 2019– | Scotland | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Clarke played for St Mirren, Chelsea and the Scotland national team, winning three major trophies with Chelsea towards the end of his career. After retiring as a player, he moved into coaching and worked at Newcastle United, Chelsea, West Ham United and Liverpool. Clarke has since managed West Bromwich Albion and Reading. After a spell coaching at Aston Villa, Clarke was appointed Kilmarnock manager in October 2017 and led them to a European place with a club record points total in his only full season in charge. In May 2019, he was appointed manager of the Scottish national team.[6] He led the team to UEFA Euro 2020, their first major tournament for 23 years.[7]
Playing career
St Mirren
Clarke was born in Saltcoats in Ayrshire.[1] His older brother Paul was a footballer, who played in more than 350 games for Kilmarnock.[8] Spotted while playing for Beith Juniors, Steve began his professional career with St Mirren.[9] Clarke was initially on a part-time contract with St Mirren, while he completed an apprenticeship as an instrument engineer.[9]
Chelsea
Clarke was transferred to Chelsea for £422,000 in February 1987.[10] He stayed at Chelsea until 1998, making 421 appearances.[10] He was a part of the Chelsea sides which won the 1997 FA Cup Final, 1998 Football League Cup Final and 1998 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final. The latter match, against VfB Stuttgart in Stockholm, was Clarke's final appearance for the club.[10] In 2005, he was voted into Chelsea's centenary XI, occupying the right-back berth.
Speaking in February 2019, Clarke said he was thankful that Chelsea had signed him as it meant that he and his family no longer had to live with religious sectarianism in the west of Scotland.[11]
Scotland
Clarke made six appearances for the Scotland national team. His debut was a 2–0 friendly win over Hungary at Hampden Park on 9 September 1987, and his final game was a 3–1 friendly loss away to the Netherlands in Utrecht six years later on 27 May 1994.[12]
Coaching career
Newcastle United
In 1998, Clarke joined Newcastle United as assistant manager to Ruud Gullit, his former manager at Chelsea. Clarke was part of the coaching team with Gullit, which helped Newcastle reach the 1999 FA Cup Final on 22 May 1999, where Newcastle finished runners up to Manchester United after goals from Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes in a 2–0 defeat.[citation needed]
Clarke was caretaker manager following Gullit's resignation,[13] taking charge of one match, a 5–1 defeat against Manchester United.[14] For that match, Clarke reinstated Alan Shearer and Rob Lee to the team.[14]
Chelsea
After a stint in charge of the youth teams at Chelsea, Clarke was promoted to the position of assistant manager when José Mourinho was appointed manager in the summer of 2004.[15] Clarke was a part of the coaching set-up which saw Chelsea win two FA Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups over three seasons under Mourinho. During this period, Clarke completed his UEFA Pro Licence in 2006.[16]
When Mourinho left Chelsea in September 2007, Clarke's services were retained by Avram Grant, although Henk ten Cate was brought in as another assistant coach.[17] Both Grant and ten Cate left the club at the end of the 2007–08 season.[17][18] BBC Sport and The Times both reported then that although Clarke remained on the Chelsea coaching staff, he would be looking to pursue opportunities to become a manager in his own right.[17][18] Chelsea assured Clarke of his status, citing his loyalty, popularity amongst the club's supporters and work in the aftermath of Mourinho's departure.[18]
West Ham United
On 12 September 2008, Clarke handed in his resignation to Chelsea, hoping to move to West Ham United to be assistant to former Chelsea teammate Gianfranco Zola.[15][19] Chelsea initially rejected his resignation, demanding compensation worth two years of Clarke's salary.[15] After a deal was agreed between the clubs, Clarke became West Ham's first-team coach on 15 September.[20]
West Ham finished ninth in the Premier League in the 2008–09 season,[21] earning Clarke and Zola extended contracts that made Clarke the highest paid assistant manager in the league.[22] The club struggled during the next season, however, narrowly avoiding relegation.[21] In June 2010, not long after the dismissal of Zola as manager,[21] Clarke left the club by mutual consent.[23]
Liverpool
On 10 January 2011, Clarke was appointed first-team coach at Liverpool by Kenny Dalglish,[24] after Dalglish had replaced the dismissed Roy Hodgson two days before.[25] Clarke was credited (alongside Dalglish) for turning Liverpool's season around, having a points average of around two points per match from his arrival, coupled with an improved defensive record. On 12 May 2011, Clarke, as well as manager Dalglish, signed a three-year contract to remain in his current role as first team coach.
On 14 May 2012, Clarke offered his resignation to Liverpool following the sacking of manager Dalglish and Liverpool's eighth-place finish in the 2011–12 Premier League. The club declined the offer, but on 6 June 2012, following the appointment of new manager Brendan Rodgers, Clarke left the club.[26] Clarke himself said that Liverpool sacked him. [27]
West Bromwich Albion
On 8 June 2012, Clarke was appointed manager of West Bromwich Albion and signed a two-year contract. The job was Clarke's first permanent management role for any club, though during his time the club referred to him as "head coach".[28]
2012–13 season
Albion began the Clarke era with a 3–0 home win against Liverpool on the opening day of the 2012–13 Premier League season. Clarke then followed that result up with a 1–1 away draw against Tottenham Hotspur, and a 2–0 win at home to Everton. Clarke suffered his first competitive defeat away at Fulham, but West Brom soon jumped back with 1–0 home victory over Reading. In November, the club won four consecutive matches in a row for the first time since 1980, defeating Southampton, Wigan Athletic, Chelsea and Sunderland.[29] Clarke was named Premier League manager of the month for November 2012.[30] Although the team would go on to lose their next three matches, Clarke's team would bounce back with a draw at home to West Ham and a 2–1 win over Norwich City. By Christmas 2012, West Brom were seventh in the table with 30 points, behind teams like Arsenal and Spurs only on goal difference. During the January transfer window, Clarke encountered some problems with want-away Nigerian Striker Peter Odemwingie, who desired a move to Queens Park Rangers, but West Brom refused to sell.[31] Odemwingie was ultimately never sold and was later given time off following the transfer window saga.[32] It was during this January period that the club struggled to emulate their early season form. Following a poor run of results which saw West Brom fail to win in six consecutive games, Clarke oversaw a 2–0 victory against Liverpool at Anfield, the club's first win since Boxing Day against QPR.[33]
West Brom won 3–0 at Southampton on 27 April, which was their 14th win of the season. This set club records for wins (14) and points (48) in a Premier League season.[34] West Brom ended the season in style with a dramatic 5–5 draw with Manchester United, in what was Sir Alex Ferguson's final match as manager.[35] The draw saw West Brom finish 8th in the table, their best finish since 1981.
2013–14 season
Clarke and West Brom returned for the new season with a 1–0 home loss to Southampton at The Hawthorns following a 90th-minute Rickie Lambert penalty.[36] The team initially struggled to score goals, eventually recording their first league goal the fourth game of the new season when Gareth McAuley scored an injury time header in a 1–1 result against Fulham.[36] 28 September 2013 saw them secure an historic 2–1 victory against league champions, Manchester United, their first win at Old Trafford in 35 years.[37] Under his managership, however, they won only one further game, a 2–0 home defeat of Crystal Palace on 2 November 2013.[36] On 9 November, West Brom were minutes away from securing a historic win at Stamford Bridge that would have ended José Mourinho's undefeated home record, but a controversial penalty decision ensured that the game ended 2–2.[38] A further draw and four straight defeats followed and on 14 December 2013 Clarke was placed on gardening leave until May 2014, after a 1–0 loss at Cardiff City. This defeat had left the club two points above the relegation zone in 16th place. They had won 9 of the previous 41 Premier League matches.[39]
Reading
On 16 December 2014, Clarke was appointed manager of Reading on a two-and-a-half-year deal, succeeding Nigel Adkins.[40] On 16 March 2015, Clarke managed Reading to a 3–0 win against Bradford City in the FA Cup to reach their first semi-final for 88 years.[41] In November 2015, Clarke was approached by Fulham to become their manager.[42] Reading gave Clarke permission to speak to Fulham, but following the discussion he decided against taking the position.[42] Clarke was sacked by Reading on 4 December 2015 after one year in charge.[43]
Aston Villa
Clarke was hired by Aston Villa on 2 June 2016 to be their assistant manager, working alongside former Chelsea teammate Roberto Di Matteo.[44] He was not retained following the appointment of Steve Bruce in October 2016.[45]
Kilmarnock
After a year out of football, Clarke was appointed manager of Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock, the club he had supported as a child,[3] on 14 October 2017.[46] When he took over, the club sat bottom of the league table. His first game as Kilmarnock manager, which was his first involvement at a Scottish club match for 30 years, ended in a 1–1 draw at Rangers.[47] Three days later, Clarke's side travelled to reigning champions Celtic and once again gained a 1–1 draw.[48] Following the league's winter break, Kilmarnock recorded a home victory over leaders Celtic, with Youssouf Mulumbu scoring the only goal to inflict what was only the second domestic defeat on the Glasgow club's manager Brendan Rodgers.[49] Kilmarnock finished the season in fifth place, setting a new club record points tally of 59 in the process.[50] Clarke was named the SFWA Manager of the Year for 2017–18.[51]
Clarke continued his impressive work the next season, including another win over Celtic and two over Rangers,[52] culminating in a third-place finish and European qualification for Kilmarnock.[53] He also won both manager of the year awards, from PFA Scotland[54] and the SFWA.[55] Immediately after the league season ended, Clarke left Kilmarnock to take the national team manager position.[6]
Scotland
In May 2019, Clarke was appointed manager of the Scotland national team on a contract due to run until the end of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.[6] On his debut on 8 June, the Scots won 2–1 at home to Cyprus in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.[56] The team then suffered four consecutive defeats against Belgium and Russia, two of them by 4–0 margins, which ended any hope of qualifying automatically for Euro 2020.[57] On 12 November 2020, Scotland defeated Serbia 4–5 on penalties after a 1–1 draw to take their place in the delayed finals via the UEFA Nations League route.[7] In the tournament Scotland drew with England at Wembley,[58] but defeats at Hampden to Czech Republic and Croatia meant that Scotland finished bottom of Group D.[59]
Six consecutive wins later that year meant that Scotland finished second in Group F of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.[60] This progressed the team into the play-offs, where they lost 3–1 to Ukraine in a semi-final at Hampden.[60] Later that year, Scotland won promotion to League A by winning their League B group in the 2022–23 competition.[61]
Ahead of UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying, Clarke signed a new contract with the SFA that is due to run until 2026.[62] Scotland won their first two matches in Euro 2024 qualifying, 3–0 against Cyprus and 2–0 against Spain.
Career statistics
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland[12] | 1987 | 3 | 0 |
| 1988 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 6 | 0 | |
Managerial record
- As of match played 28 March 2023
| Team | From | To | Record | Ref | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Newcastle United (caretaker) | 28 August 1999 | 2 September 1999 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | [13][63] |
| West Bromwich Albion | 8 June 2012 | 14 December 2013 | 60 | 19 | 15 | 26 | 31.7 | [28][63][64] |
| Reading | 16 December 2014 | 4 December 2015 | 53 | 19 | 14 | 20 | 35.8 | [63] |
| Kilmarnock | 14 October 2017 | 20 May 2019 | 79 | 40 | 22 | 17 | 50.6 | [46][65] |
| Scotland | 20 May 2019 | Present | 43 | 21 | 10 | 12 | 48.8 | [66][a] |
| Total | 236 | 99 | 61 | 76 | 41.9 | |||
- ^ Clarke's profile at the Scottish Football Association website records Scotland's penalty shootout victories over Israel and Serbia in 2020 as wins;[67] most statistical resources record the outcomes of such matches as a draw, albeit the winner of the shootout progresses, and they have been counted as draws in the table. As of 13 November 2020, the SFA page also included an extra game: the cancelled original date for the Israel fixture (26 March 2020) was recorded as a 0–0 draw, in addition to the match which was played (with the same scoreline) seven months later.
Honours
Player
Chelsea
Individual
- Chelsea Player of the Year: 1993–94[71]
- Chelsea Centenary XI: 2004–05[72]
Manager
- Continental
- UEFA Nations League
- League B (1): 2022–23
Individual
References
- ^ a b c "Steve Clarke". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ "Steve Clarke: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Steve Clarke has ALWAYS been a Kilmarnock fan and here's the proof". Daily Record. 27 December 2017.
- ^ "[Scotland U21 player] Clarke, Steve". FitbaStats. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
- ^ "[Scotland B player] Clarke, Steve". FitbaStats. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ a b c "Steve Clarke is named new Scotland manager". BBC Sport. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ^ a b Serbia 1-1 Scotland: Visitors win 5-4 on penalties to end 23-year finals wait, BBC Sport, 12 November 2020
- ^ "Kilmarnock: Steve Clarke believes his managerial record deserves more respect". BBC Sport. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ^ a b Buckland, Simon (14 March 2010). "Steve Clarke: 'It's time for me to be the guy who makes decisions'". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ a b c . Chelsea F.C. Archived from the original on 18 August 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ "Steve Clarke: Kilmarnock boss upset by 'sectarian' abuse in Rangers defeat". BBC Sport. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ a b Stevie Clarke at the Scottish Football Association
- ^ a b "Gullit quits Newcastle". BBC Sport. 28 August 1999. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ a b Hodgson, Guy (31 August 1999). "Cole strikes at heart of Magpies". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ a b c Wallace, Sam (13 September 2008). "Scolari asked Clarke not to leave for West Ham". The Independent. London. Retrieved 10 October 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "The Class of 2006". The Football Association. 3 July 2006. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
- ^ a b c "Ten Cate sacked as Chelsea coach". BBC Sport. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ a b c Hughes, Matt (2 June 2008). "Steve Clarke assured of role at Chelsea". The Times. London. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ . The Independent. London. 12 September 2008. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ . West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ a b c "West Ham sack manager Gianfranco Zola". BBC Sport. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ "Zola signs new West Ham contract". BBC Sport. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ . West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ . Liverpool F.C. 10 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ^ "Steve Clarke appointed as Liverpool first-team coach". BBC Sport. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ^ "Liverpool first team coach Steve Clarke leaves club". BBC Sport. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ^ "Clarke – I was sacked by Reds". Sky Sports. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ^ a b "Steve Clarke named West Brom head coach after Liverpool exit". BBC Sport. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ Lillywhite, Jamie. "Sunderland 2-4 West Brom". BBC Sport.
- ^ "West Brom's Steve Clarke wins Manager of the Month award". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Peter Odemwingie furious as West Bromwich reject new £2m QPR bid". The Guardian. London. 28 January 2013.
- ^ Kelso, Paul (1 February 2013). "West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie dropped for Tottenham game following transfer deadline day farce". The Daily Telegraph. London.
- ^ Magowan, Alistair. "Liverpool 0-2 West Brom". BBC Sport.
- ^ McKenna, Chris. "Southampton 0-3 West Brom". BBC Sport.
- ^ Johnston, Neil. "West Brom 5-5 Manchester United". BBC Sport.
- ^ a b c "West Brom 2013-14". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ "Bryan Robson: West Brom deserved Manchester United win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ Sheringham, Sam. "Chelsea 2-2 West Bromwich Albion". BBC Sport.
- ^ Percy, John (15 December 2013). "West Bromwich Albion starting search to replace Steve Clarke from scratch". Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ "Steve Clarke: Reading appoint new boss to replace Nigel Adkins". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Reading 3-0 Bradford City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- ^ a b "Steve Clarke: Reading manager to stay following Fulham talks". BBC Sport. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ^ "Steve Clarke: Reading manager 'relieved of duties'". BBC Sport. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ^ Murphy, Pat (2 June 2016). "Roberto di Matteo named Aston Villa manager - Steve Clarke as assistant". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
- ^ "Aston Villa will part company with Steve Clarke". Birmingham Mail. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ^ a b Barnes, John (14 October 2017). "Kilmarnock: Steve Clarke is named the club's new manager". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
- ^ "Pedro Caixinha determined to continue as Rangers manager". BBC Sport. 25 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ "Celtic 1-1 Kilmarnock". 28 October 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
- ^ "Kilmarnock 1-0 Celtic". 3 February 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
- ^ "Kilmarnock 1-0 Hearts: Erwin gives Killie record total". www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Why Rangers and Celtic's bosses can't be in contention for Manager of the Year - Football Scotland". 29 March 2019.
- ^ Kilmarnock Result History (Filter: 2018/2019), FitbaStats
- ^ "Steve Clarke: Kilmarnock boss 'sorry for not winning trophy'". BBC Sport. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ a b "James Forrest, Steve Clarke & Ryan Kent win PFA Scotland annual awards". BBC Sport. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Manager of the Year".
- ^ "Steve Clarke: Scotland character in Cyprus win 'bodes well for future'". BBC Sport. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- ^ Lamont, Alasdair (10 October 2019). "Scotland: Russia thumping must be 'lowest of the low' - Steve Clarke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ Hytner, David (18 June 2021). "England frustrated by steely Scotland in Euro 2020 stalemate at Wembley". The Guardian.
- ^ Mullen, Scott (22 June 2021). "Croatia 3–1 Scotland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Scotland to face Ukraine in World Cup play-off semi-finals". BBC Sport. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
- ^ "Ukraine 0-0 Scotland: Steve Clarke's side earn Nations League promotion". BBC Sport. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "Steve Clarke agrees Scotland extension to remain as head coach until 2026". BBC Sport. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- ^ a b c "Managers: Steve Clarke". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ "Steve Clarke sacked as West Brom head coach". BBC Sport. 14 December 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
- ^ "Kilmarnock: Results/matches: 2017/18". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
- ^ Managers: Steve Clarke, Soccerbase
- ^ Steve Clarke Management Statistics, Scottish Football Association
- ^ Moore, Glenn (19 May 1997). "Chelsea cruelly expose Boro fault lines". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ Moore, Glenn (30 March 1998). "Football: Vialli's selflessness primes Chelsea's deserved victory". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ Shaw, Phil (14 May 1998). "Football: Zola's instant impact for Chelsea". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ "Steve Clarke". chelseafc.com. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- ^ "West Brom: Everything you need to know about Steve Clarke". Birmingham Mail. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke named Ladbrokes Premiership Manager of the Year". Herald Scotland. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "Manager profile: Steve Clarke". Premier League. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ "Kilmarnock: Kris Boyd and Steve Clarke win December awards". BBC Sport. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ "Steve Clarke: Kilmarnock boss wins manager of the month award". BBC Sport. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
- ^ "Steve Clarke: Kilmarnock boss collects third monthly manager award in a row". BBC Sport. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
External links
- Steve Clarke at Soccerbase
- Steve Clarke management career statistics at Soccerbase
- Stevie Clarke at the Scottish Football Association (player profile)
- Steve Clarke at the Scottish Football Association (manager profile)