West Bromwich Albion

Steve Clarke: 'Nicolas Anelka considering retirement, but no bust-up'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 23 August 2013

West Bromwich Albion head coach Steve Clarke says that Nicolas Anelka has expressed a desire to retire from football following the death of his agent.

West Bromwich Albion head coach Steve Clarke has confirmed that striker Nicolas Anelka has mentioned that he may retire from the game following the death of one of his agents.

The Frenchman has been withdrawn from the squad to play Everton this weekend on "compassionate grounds" due to the passing of Eric Manasse.

While some reports had claimed that the former Chelsea frontman had stormed out of training, Clarke has insisted that there is no rift between himself and Anelka.

"There was no big bust-up, he didn't storm out," Clarke said in a press conference. "Retirement? When you're not in a good place those thoughts can come into your mind.

"I'm not going to deny he mentioned [retirement]. He hasn't trained this week [because of a knock]. I was preparing team for Everton without him.

"I went in and had a very brief chat with him, and he wasn't in a good place. So the club have decided just to give him a bit of time to go away and think about it and get himself in a better place for the future."

The 34-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Baggies earlier this summer.