Steve Clarke is set to stay with Chelsea.

The Times says Chelsea have told Clarke, the assistant coach, that they will try to find a place for him at the club. The Scotsman, who has served the club for almost two decades as player and coach since joining from St Mirren, has been reassured that he will be treated differently to Henk ten Cate, the Dutch assistant who was sacked last week.

Clarke has told friends he believes that he could work as a No 1 in the Barclays Premier League, but in reality he would probably have to settle for a position with a Coca-Cola Championship club.