Glenn Hoddle

Glenn Hoddle (born October 27, 1957 in Hayes, Hillingdon) is a football manager and former player for Tottenham Hotspur and England, currently employed as manager for Wolverhampton Wanderers. He was an immensely skilled attacking midfielder with sumptuous ball skills.

Playing career

Hoddle joined Tottenham as a schoolboy, making his debut as a 17 year old in 1975. Within two years, he was a regular in the centre of the Spurs midfield, creating plenty of goals and scoring a few spectacular ones of his own. Spurs were relegated from the top flight in 1977, but with Hoddle as a centrepiece of the team, won promotion again the following year. He scored on his full England debut in 1979 and won the FA Cup with Spurs in 1981 and 1982 and the UEFA Cup in 1984.

Related Topics:
1975 - 1977 - 1979 - FA Cup - 1981 - 1982 - UEFA Cup - 1984

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Though regarded as a genius with the ball at his feet, Hoddle was regarded as an enigmatic player because his work off the ball was not of the highest standard, and as a result international managers were wary of playing him all the time. That said, he made two World Cup squads (1982 and 1986), playing an important role in the latter campaign when England reached the quarter finals. He also featured in the European Championship squads of 1980 and 1988, making his final England appearance during the latter tournament.

Related Topics:
World Cup - 1982 - 1986 - European Championship - 1980 - 1988

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Hoddle announced in 1987 that he would be leaving Tottenham at the end of the season to pursue ambitions abroad. His final game for the club was the FA Cup final in which Spurs lost to Coventry City. He then joined AS Monaco, under the management of Arsène Wenger and alongside fellow England player Mark Hateley.

Related Topics:
1987 - Coventry City - AS Monaco - Arsène Wenger - Mark Hateley

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Also in 1987, he released pop single Diamond Lights with Spurs and England colleague Chris Waddle and reached the Top 20 in the UK. In 2003 the song was voted number 14 in Channel 4's All-Time 'Worst Ever' Singles Poll.

Related Topics:
Chris Waddle - 2003 - Channel 4

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