Luiz Felipe Scolari has already conceded defeat in his attempts to keep Steve Clarke at Chelsea.
Blues coach wants Hammers switch
Luiz Felipe Scolari has already conceded defeat in his attempts to keep Steve Clarke at Chelsea.
The Blues coach handed in his resignation on Friday and is keen to link up with new West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola at Upton Park.
Chelsea are yet to accept that Clarke will be leaving for their London rivals, and will be seeking compensation should they fail to retain the services of the popular coach.
However, former Portugal boss Scolari understands Clarke's motives for wanting to leave and has wished him well in his new post.
"Now I have been told he is going I am sad but I understand Steve. All people have projects in their life," he said.
"I don't agree with his decision but I am happy for him because I like Stevie.
"I like him as a person and as a coach and I wish him all the best."
Projects
Scolari went on to reveal that he had made a personal plea for Clarke to stay, believing the former Blues defender to be his expert on English football.
"Yesterday I invited Steve to visit my house and we discussed the situation between West Ham and Chelsea," the Brazilian added.
"I told him what I thought and this morning told (chief executive) Peter Kenyon what I think about Steve, that he is very important for me and for Chelsea.
"He is a man that is a link between me and the players and between me and the staff. He knows Chelsea very well and English players and clubs.
"When he told me about his projects I said to him I could be the man who would open more chances for him to be the head coach in England or in other countries.
"And I said I would give him more responsibility at Chelsea and would tell the press that Steve wanted to fly alone in the future.
"I don't know what happened in the night but when I came here in the morning I heard he had resigned."
