Clarke goes it alone at West Brom armed with extensive education

The 48-year-old Scot has signed a two-year contract to become England coach Roy Hodgson’s successor and take his first job as a number one after over a decade as an assistant.

“Becoming a head coach in my own right has always been an ambition of mine and I feel I have served my apprenticeship,” said Clarke, who has spent 14 years coaching at Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham and, most recently, Liverpool.

“I’ve done everything I could as an assistant. I’m delighted West Bromwich Albion have given me the chance to make that progression and I’m determined to make the most of it.

“It’s a process I’ve gone through, with a plan in mind to work as hard as I could alongside some of the best managers and coaches in the world, learning as much as possible from them, before stepping out on my own.

“I’ve taken something from every manager I’ve worked with and I’ve felt ready to make the step up for some time.

“I look forward to meeting and working with a very talented group of players and aim, with their help, to prove I can be a successful head coach.”

Clarke’s departure from Anfield was only confirmed on Wednesday, although he had offered his resignation last month when Kenny Dalglish was sacked.

Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace and sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth quickly identified him as the man they wanted to continue the club’s development begun by Roberto di Matteo and continued by Hodgson.

Ashworth said they had no doubts they had selected the right person and the fact he was untested taking sole charge of a team was not a concern.