West Ham United have dismissed assistant manager Steve Clarke.

The Sun says Clarke, who had three years left on his contract, was axed by vice-chairman Karren Brady in a meeting yesterday.

Talks are under way to agree a pay-off which could be as much as £1.3million.

Clarke's exit follows the dismissal of manager Gianfranco Zola two weeks ago.

Both have paid the price for a disappointing season in which West Ham finished 17th in the Premier League on just 35 points - one place above the relegation zone.

A Hammers insider said: "Zola and Clarke were nice guys but finishing with 35 points is just not good enough.

"Most seasons that would see you relegated so there can be no excuses. They had to go.

"It's a clean sweep of the old management team to allow the new boss the opportunity to build his own team here."