Zola power: West Ham boss to stay at Upton Park after agreeing new deal

25 April 2009 18:00
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola and his assistant Steve Clarke have both agreed to put pen to paper and will sign new contracts with the east London club in the next 48 hours.[LNB]The deal will commit the former-Chelsea pair to the club until 2013, with the contracts expected to be finalised after the clash against the duo's former club on Saturday or latest by Monday night.[LNB] Signing up: West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola and assistant Steve Clarke will both sign contracts that will keep them at the club until 2013[LNB]There had been some speculation that the pair were stalling on contract talks to keep themselves in line for a lucrative summer offer from Stamford Bridge but it appears whatever has been holding up talks has finally been sorted out.[LNB]The new contract is reported to be worth £1.6million for Zola while Clarke is set to become the highest paid number two in the country with a deal worth £1million-per-year.[LNB]Zola had spoken of his hopes of signing a long-term deal at Upton Parkon the condition that Clarke and coaching staff stay at the club.[LNB] [LNB]Clarke said earlier in the week: 'I had great times at Chelsea but it has gone, it is in the past and I have to look forward. I am at West Ham now.'[LNB]Since arriving at Upton Park in September of last year, Zola and Clarke have taken the club to the brink of qualification for next season's Europa League. Zola set to Hammer out a new deal at Upton Park before the season endsWEST HAM

Source: Daily_Mail