Clark goes for the 'Roeder Effect'

Glenn Roeder completed another stage of the managerial transition at Carrow Road today when he managed to prise Lee Clark away from Premier League giants Newcastle United.

Roeder was given permission by his former club to speak to Clark who was confirmed as City's new assistant manager on a two-and-a-half year deal, replacing Jim Duffy, who left Carrow Road on Tuesday, the day the new manager was installed.

Clark, 35, joined the St James' Park coaching staff under Roeder, whose Newcastle career came to an end last May, with first team duties combined with taking charge of the Magpies second string team.

But Clark admitted it was only the “Roeder Effect” which persuaded him to part company with the club he loves.

Clark spent most of his career in the north-east, beginning and ending his playing days with Newcastle.

“I have worked with him before and when he asked me to think about coming down and joining him at Norwich City it was a decision I couldn't turn down,” said the father-of-two.

“To prise me from a club I love - in that respect it was a tough decision. But to come and work alongside someone like Glenn again was the perfect opportunity for me and to be given the role of assistant manager means he's shown a lot of faith in me.”

Clark said he was looking forward to supporting Roeder in his efforts to transform the Canaries.

“He will bring a lot of managerial experience,” he said. “He has a lot of experience in getting clubs out of tough positions like Norwich find themselves in at the moment, but also in terms of building on that and trying to do what Norwich fans want and returning them to where they were three or four years ago.”

Clark leaves St James Park with a pat on the back from manager Sam Allardyce.

“Lee's a good lad, he's been fantastic,” said Allardyce. “He wants to move on and gain the experience to help him ultimately achieve his aim of becoming a manager one day.

“It's a big step for him but I hope it goes well for him.”

Chairman Chris Mort said: “We are delighted to see Lee's career progressing. We thank him for his services and we wish him and Glenn all the best at Norwich City.”

Clark goes straight into the dug-out alongside Roeder for tomorrow's derby clash against Ipswich at Carrow Road - and believes it is the perfect game for the Roeder era to begin.

“I'm looking forward to it,” he said. “It's a fantastic start. It's a local derby and there will be lots of passion and pride at stake.

“Players won't need motivating and they will be out to do it for the supporters so we are looking forward to the occasion. Hopefully we can get all three points to start off the new era and start climbing the Championship table, which is the most important thing.”

Clark began his career at Newcastle in 1990 and became a huge hero to the St James' faithful during his first seven-year spell there. He then made the rare move to local neighbours and bitter rivals Sunderland although, after 74 appearances, his career on Wearside came to an end after he wore a derogatory T-shirt at the 1999 FA Cup final.

He moved south to Fulham, playing almost 150 games before being allowed to leave at the end of 2005, turning up at St James Park again as a player under Graeme Souness' management.

When Roeder replace Souness at the helm Clark was drafted into the coaching side - and a partnership was borne. Newcastle United coach and reserves boss Lee Clark has agreed to become Glenn Roeder's assistant manager at Norwich City on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Newcastle United have permission for him to speak with City earlier today and Clark is free to begin work immediately.

Roeder drafted Clark into the Newcastle coaching team when he replaced Graeme Souness as Toon boss.

Clark is a former Newcastle midfielder, who also had spells at Sunderland and Fulham.