Steve Clarke is determined to prove he can succeed as a head coach after being named as the new man at the helm of West Bromwich Albion.
New West Brom boss thinks the time is right to go it alone
Steve Clarke is determined to prove he can succeed as a head coach after being named as the new man at the helm of West Bromwich Albion.
The former defender has served as assistant manager to Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle and Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool, accruing over a decade of coaching experience.
But he now feels the time is right to take the responsibility on his own shoulders and is excited by the chance to be a No.1 after signing a two-year deal with the Baggies.
Clarke told the club's
official website: "Becoming a head coach in my own right has always been an ambition of mine and I feel I have served my apprenticeship.
"I've done everything I could as an assistant.
Process
"It's a process I've gone through, with a plan in mind to work as hard as I could alongside some of the best managers and coaches in the world, learning as much as possible from them, before stepping out on my own.
"I've taken something from every manager I've worked with and I've felt ready to make the step up for some time.
"I'm delighted West Bromwich Albion have given me the chance to make that progression and I'm determined to make the most of it.
"'I look forward to meeting and working with a very talented group of players and aim, with their help, to prove I can be a successful head coach."
Clarke is taking over a club who have finally established themselves in the Premier League, after several seasons as a 'yo-yo' team.
The Baggies have earned themselves a third successive campaign in the top flight for the first time and finished 10th in 2011/12 under Roy Hodgson, who left to take charge of England.
Organised
Clarke continued: "West Bromwich Albion strikes me as a friendly, really well organised club with a fantastic structure in place
"The team and supporters have had some good times in recent years and, with their help, I would like to think those good times can continue following my appointment.
"The chairman and Dan Ashworth did a terrific job in selling the club's project to me and I fully aim to repay the board's faith.
"I know from past visits to The Hawthorns how well the supporters back the team and joining a club of such stature is a real honour. I can't wait to get started."
