A QUICK glance at Steve Clarke’s coaching credentials would lead you to conclude Kilmarnock have won a watch in bagging him as their new manager.
Quite apart from his 300-odd appearances for Chelsea, he was Jose Mourinho’s right-hand man during that glorious spell for the London giants in the mid-noughties, as well as carrying on as an assistant at West Ham and Liverpool.
Having also led West Brom to their highest finish in the English top-flight for 32 years before rather harshly being sacked, then had spells as the main man at Reading and Aston Villa, his coaching pedigree is clear for all to see.
But, for the unassuming Saltcoats boy, the privilege of returning to his old manor at the age of 54 is all his.
Far from being bitter at his treatment from some of the clubs on his road from Stamford Bridge to Rugby Park, there is no hint from Clarke that the job he has taken on at Kilmarnock is beneath him.
In fact, he is grateful to have been given a route back into the game after a year out, and he fully believes he can take the club back to where he feels it belongs.
“I took a big decision when I left Chelsea because I probably could have stayed there forever,” Clarke said. “But I’ve never been afraid of a challenge and trying to push myself and try something different. And this is something different.
“I don’t think I’ve been given the credit I deserve for the job I did at West Brom. I took them to their highest ever finish, then the next year for reasons unbeknown to me they decided to make a quick change, which I didn’t think was fair.
“I also took Reading to their first FA Cup semi-final in a really long time while being part of a project where we were going to try and build something. But these days people lose patience very quickly.
“In terms of being a manager, I was ready when I left Chelsea in 2008. I’ve had two stabs at it and I think I’ve done alright. Now I aim to make this job the best one I’ve done so far.
“It’s nice to work again because I was an out-of-work manager. I lost a job at Villa this time last year, you spend all winter sitting in the house watching games you don’t really have an interest in.
“It was time to get back in. It’s in our blood. Sometimes I think we’re a little bit crazy the way we keep throwing ourselves back into the lion’s den.
“There are a lot of managers who get one chance and never get another one. There are even more who get two chances and never get another one. I feel quite fortunate to have a third opportunity.
“I’d been fortunate to always be involved in the Premier League and it’s difficult for a British coach to get a Premier League job.
“It was disappointing to lose that but you just move on and try and further your career somewhere else.
“I don’t look at my career and think ‘if only’. I managed in the English Premier League so it was a helluva level to reach for a wee boy from Saltcoats. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far but I’ve got more to achieve.”
The family ties Clarke has in the area may have aided Kilmarnock’s cause in landing their man. He used to come to Rugby Park as a youngster to watch brother Paul play for Killie, and brother Michael is an avid supporter to this day.
Clarke admits trying to restore the club to somewhere near the level he remembers, both in league position and in crowds, was a major draw.
“The home matches of late have been below 4000, so you’re saying, ‘Can we get 5000?’ The only way you’ll get them is by winning matches and entertaining them.
“My task now is to make sure I don’t disappoint them and I can promise them I’ll do everything in my power to help them get a successful team on the pitch.”
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