Darren Clarke welcomes the chance to captain Europe at the 2014 Ryder Cup

Darren Clarke has confirmed he would welcome the chance to captain Europe at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles but denied he had already been offered the job.

“To clarify..I have not been offered the Ryder Cup captaincy,” the Northern Irishman said on Twitter.

“It’s not decided by the committee until January. Would be a huge honour if asked.”

Clarke was an assistant to Jose Maria Olazabal during Europe’s win at Medinah this year and has made five appearances as a player in the biennial event.

Lee Westwood, part of the European team that came from 10-6 down at the start of the final day in Medinah to retain the trophy, has already stated his preference for Clarke being in charge in Scotland in two years.

Europe have several options to consider, not least two of Olazabal’s other assistants – Paul McGinleyand Thomas Bjorn.