CHELSEA TO KEEP CLARKE!

Clarke has been awarded most of the plaudits for resurrecting Chelsea’s early season stutters following Jose Mourinho’s departure last September, thus steering the team within a whisker of both the Premier League and Champions League titles.

Manager Avram Grant and his Dutch assistant Henk ten Cate were both dismissed after an ultimately trophyless season, and some expected Clarke would soon follow.

But The Observer reports that the higher ups at Stamford Bridge have decided to retain the Scot’s services, evidently recognising his vital contributions on the training pitch and the respect he commands from the players.

The decision has all but confirmed that Chelsea will look to appoint a manager who comes without massive entourage, as while Clarke is likely to remain as first-team coach, certain figures within the club – such as reserves manager Brendan Rogers – are set to receive promotions to the senior staff.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich is spearheading the search for a new gaffer, and will hold meetings with various candidates this month despite planning to attend several EURO 2008 matches.

Guus Hiddink is reportedly still in the mix to succeed, despite his plan to take Russia to the 2010 World Cup. A less than satisfactory showing in Austria and Switzerland could see the Russian Football Federation decline to renew his contract, which would well and truly open the door for Abramovich and co.

Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is also on the Chelsea radar, and is understood to be open to discussions once his team – dark horses to win the tournament – end their EURO campaign.

Roberto Mancini and Frank Rijkaard remain near the top of the list, having been sacked by Internazionale and Barcelona respectively at the end of last season, but a series of personal issues could count against them when it comes to the crunch.