Chelsea have confirmed that their assistant manager Steve Clarke has handed in his resignation, but have so far refused to sanction his departure from the club.

It is understood that Clarke - who has been at Chelsea for over 20 years as a player and a coach - wants to team up with his former Stamford Bridge team-mate Gianfranco Zola, who was yesterday confirmed as West Ham's new manager.

"Chelsea can confirm that West Ham have made an approach with regards to talking to Steve Clarke," a Chelsea spokesman said. "They have not been given permission to talk to him.

"Steve Clarke has tendered his resignation as assistant first team coach. We have not accepted his resignation. Talks are continuing."

The Chelsea manager Luis Felipe Scolari had words of praise for Clarke today, and revealed he tried to convince the Scot to stay with the club.

"Now I have been told he is going I am sad but I understand Steve. All people have projects in their life," said Scolari. "I don't agree with his decision but I am happy for him because I like Stevie. I like him as a person and as a coach and I wish him all the best."

"Yesterday I invited Steve to visit my house and we discussed the situation between West Ham and Chelsea," he added. I told him what I thought and this morning told [chief executive] Peter Kenyon what I think about Steve, that he is very important for me and for Chelsea.

"He is a man that is a link between me and the players and between me and the staff. He knows Chelsea very well and English players and clubs. I don't know what happened in the night but when I came here in the morning I heard he had resigned."