Buck optimistic that Clarke has key role to play under new boss Scolari

Clarke has been part of the backroom staff at Chelsea for eight years, but has enjoyed a more significant role since Mourinho took over as manager in 2004.

The 44-year-old, who also played as a right-back at the club for 11 years, was unsure if he would have a position following the appointment of Scolari.

True Blue: Steve Clarke (above right) with former boss Avram Grant and (below) he sits in the dugout alongside Grant's predecessor Jose Mourinho

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has assured assistant manager Steve Clarke he has a long-term future at the club.

Clarke has been part of the backroom staff for eight years and has enjoyed a more significant role since Jose Mourinho took over as manager in 2004.

Buck said: 'Steve is Chelsea Football Club through and through. He has met with Felipe a number of times. They are getting along fine and I’m optimistic that he will be an important part of Felipe’s coaching staff this season and in the future.'

The Brazilian has brought the trusted aides he worked with while in charge of Portugal and Brazil in Carlos Pracidelli, Flavio Teixeira and Darlan Schneider to Stamford Bridge.

Clarke was considering his future earlier in the summer, but Scolari and the Chelsea hierarchy are aware of his strong relationship with the players as well as his all-round abilities.

The Scot has already agreed to stay on for this season, but Buck believes this is just the start of his working relationship with Scolari.

He said: 'Steve is Chelsea Football Club through and through. He has been at the club in a coaching role for a long time, even before he took the job with Mourinho.

'We have the greatest respect for Steve and he has met with Felipe a number of times. They are getting along fine and I'm optimistic that he will be an important part of Felipe's coaching staff this season and in the future.'

Buck is also confident that Chelsea will bounce back from failing to win a trophy for the first time in four years last season to add more silverware to the trophy cabinet.

Chelsea finished runners-up to Manchester United in the Premier and Champions League, but Buck added: 'I'm always excited about a new season, but I'm really optimistic at how well we will do. Time will tell, but I think this will be a very successful season for the club.

'I can look back on the Champions League Final and say we almost did it. I'm very proud of what the boys did and it has given us more confidence about the future. Hopefully we will be back for the final in Rome this season.'