Profile

Steve Clarke was appointed first-team coach at Liverpool by Kenny Dalglish following his return to the dugout in January 2011.

Born in Saltcoats, Scotland, the 47-year-old is well schooled in the art of football, having been both a player and coach for a number of teams.

He started his playing career in the Scottish Football League for St Mirren as a defender before being transferred to Chelsea in the spring of 1987. Clarke made an impressive 421 appearances for the London side, winning three major trophies including the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. In 2005 he was voted into Chelsea's centenary XI for his role as right-back.

Following his retirement as a player, Steve moved into coaching. In 1998 he joined Newcastle United as assistant manager to Ruud Gullit. Clarke was to become caretaker manager for the Magpies following Gullit's resignation, taking charge of one match where his side lost to Manchester United.

Soon Clarke would return south to his former club Chelsea. After a stint in charge of the youth teams at Stamford Bridge, Clarke was promoted to the position of assistant manager to serve under José Mourinho. Steve was part of the coaching set up which helped win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups. He remained at the club until 2008, before tending his resignation to join up with ex-teammate Gianfranco Zola as part of the West Ham United backroom staff.

Clarke earned an extended contract at Upton Park when West Ham finished ninth in the 2008-09 season, which saw him become the highest paid assistant manager in the Premier League. In June 2010, not long after the dismissal of Zola as manager, Clarke left the club by mutual consent.