The Baggies' boss revealed how a phone call from Hughton almost ended with the pair working together at Newcastle.
Clarke was out of a job at the time and says he will always be grateful towards the Norwich manager for offering him a helping hand.
Now the two managers meet at the Hawthorns on Saturday when Albion host Norwich.
Steve Clarke: "It's more than the fact that Chris has done a great job at Norwich.
"He is a good person. When he was at Newcastle, we had a little conversation about me going up there to join him.
"At the time I was out of the game and I appreciated the fact that he took the time out to call me.
"But it just goes to show you. Newcastle got rid of him a couple of weeks later. He lost his job when maybe he shouldn't have done.
"However, I've not forgotten the call.
"We have spent a lot of hours working on our coaching badges, doing spells with the youth and reserve teams.
"Clubs are now looking at that and think that we have done our time and educated ourselves properly.
"After the success of Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho, maybe they are looking at the whole education process and not just picking the name of someone who was once a good player.
"Now there are a decent number of people who have had good careers as players and have chosen a different path to educate ourselves before stepping into the hot-seat."