Clarke, 51, was officially unveiled as Reading manager on Tuesday afternoon, less than 24 hours after Nigel Adkins had been relieved of his duties.

The quick turnaround is the biggest indicator that the Royals had identified their man and swooped quickly and efficiently to get him.

With it taking less than 24 hours to thrash out a deal between both parties, including contractual matters, it also offers an insight into the appeal of the job for Clarke.

Reading currently sits 16th in the Championship but the new Royals boss thinks he has joined a club that is destined for the Premier League in future.

“The ambition is to be back in the Premier League and there’s no point beating around the bush and saying anything else,” he fired. “If we can get back to the Premier League this season then great. If it takes a bit more time but things are developing and progressing the right way then that’s fine.

“Everyone wants to work in the Premier League. If you work in English football it is the place to be. I had that at West Brom and I want to be back there.

“Sometimes it isn’t possible to go straight in so you look down the leagues at teams that could come back to the Premier League and for me Reading fits that bill.

“It is a club with new owners, a good consortium and they sold me a good image of what their future plans are for the club and I liked what they told me so I think we can do well.” Clarke was appointed exactly one year on from his dismissal at West Brom and admitted he had been itching to get back into the game recently.

The Scot decided to take six months out of the game before returning but waited another six months to ensure he chose the right opportunity.

“I was waiting for the right club,” he said. “I’ve spoken to a number of clubs and had one or two offers to come back in but when you speak to a club it has to be right for you and right for the football club and until now I haven’t really had that feeling.

“I was on gardening leave at West Brom and decided to take six months before trying to get back into the game. When I was out of the game I was in quite a fortunate position as I’ve been quite successful in my career so I could take a bit of time and relax.

“The circustances were right. Reading is a club with good potential and one that was recently in the Premier League. I look forward to getting them back to where they want to be.

“I spoke to Nigel Howe [Chief Executive] on Monday evening and we had a fantastic conversation. We spoke at length about the club, where we are now and where we want to be going forward. The contractual side of the business was completed very quickly also. That was easy for me to do.

“When you’ve had a year off like me you can’t wait. There was no point dragging it on so that I could have Christmas Day at home with the family.” “I couldn’t wait to get back into the game and I was well prepared. I was waiting for a club that I felt gave me the chance to build. Ideally I’d have liked it to be in the Premier League but if the next choice was to be in the Championship - which it is - then you want that to be a club that give you a realistic chance of being in the Premier League and that’s what Reading give me.” Clarke has enjoyed great success since retiring as a player in 1998.

He has spent time as assistant manager at Newcastle United, West Ham and Liverpool, as well as enjoying a successful spell as number two to José Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

During his time there, he played his part in helping Chelsea win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups under Mourinho.

Clarke eventually was given an opportunity of his own when West Brom appointed him in 2012 and he led them to their highest ever Premier League finish of eighth place in his first season.

It is an impressive pedigree and that prompted the Reading board to select him as the replacement for Adkins.

Sir John Madejski and Nigel Howe both paid tribute to Clarke, saying that he was the natural fit to continue the ongoing progression at the club.

“I’ve got a lot of experience in football,” said Howe. “Steve’s name has popped up with a lot of colleagues and he’s been on our radar.

“He lives locally and his reputation as a coach and manager couldn’t be beaten.

“It was an easy choice. He was available so we didn’t have to go through a lot of issues to get him signed and once I had discussed Nigel’s termination with him, I was happy to move on and start with Steve.” Madejski added: “Steve matched all the credentials we needed for someone to take over at Reading.

“He comes with a CV of the very highest order and I look forward to moving back up the table with him in charge “We can now look forward to a new era under Steve’s stewardship and I for one am excited about this new beginning.” The Clarke era will begin with the visit of Watford on Saturday, before two games in three days over the festive period as the Royals head to Brighton on Boxing Day before a home clash with Norwich City on Sunday, December 28.

It is certainly a baptism of fire for the new boss but after sitting at home for 12 months he cannot wait to grace the Madejski Stadium dugout.

“When you’ve been out of the game for a while you can’t wait for the games to come thick and fast,” he laughed. “I know the Championship so there won’t be too many surprises for me.

“It’s a good level and a very competitive league. It’s one where anybody can beat anyone so it’s important to get some momentum going as soon as possible to get back towards the play-offs.

“I know a lot of the players, there’s good talent in the squad. Hopefully we can strengthen our position in the league.” Clarke’s initial discussions before putting pen-to-paper were with Madejski and Howe, and the Scot was keen to pay tribute to the impact that Madejski has had on the football club in recent times.

Madejski saved Reading from administration when he took over the club in 1990 and has overseen the move from Elm Park to the Madejski Stadium in 1998, before overseeing the sale of the club to Anton Zingarevich’s doomed Thames Sports Investment in the early months of 2012.

He then played a huge part in helping the Thai takeover of the club and now sits on the board as Co-Chairman as he edges towards 25 years involvement with Reading Football Club.

Clarke said: “Sir John is a great football man, especially in the town of Reading.

“I have lived in the south since 1987 so it’s an area that I know well and a club that I know well.

“It’s great when people like Sir John are passionate about a football club and he’s shown that over the years.

“He’s responsible for everything around here which is a great tribute to him and hopefully we can get Reading back to where they belong.”