Glenn Hoddle

About

Glenn is a former footballer who became idolised during his time at Totenham Hotspur. He is also fondly remembered for his successful stint as England manager.

Glenn Hoddle started his career at Watford having been a product of their youth academy. In April 1974 Hoddle joined Totenham Hotspur as a schoolboy apprentice, and in the following year made his first-team début as a 17-year-old substitute against Norwich City.

In 1987, Hoddle also found himself in the pop charts, with the single Diamond Lights making the UK Top 20 in a duet with Spurs and England team-mate Chris Waddle.

Hoddle made his International début in England’s Euro 80 qualifying tie against Bulgaria on 22 November 1979, scoring in a 2-0 win at Wembley. He was also included in the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup squads, playing an important role in the latter campaign when England reached the quarter-finals against Argentina.

Hoddle has been manager of Swindon Town (earning promotion to the Premier League), Chelsea (taking them to the FA Cup final), Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur (reaching a League Cup final) and more recently Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In 1996 Hoddle accepted the England manager’s job and guided the team to qualification for the 1998 World Cup, securing the team’s entry with a memorable 0–0 draw in Rome against Italy.

In 2007 he was inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame which cited him as one of the most gifted English footballers of his generation.

He is currently running the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain, set up to help young British players return to professional football after being released by their clubs. In June 2011, it was announced that The Glenn Hoddle Academy had linked up with English Blue Square Bet North side Hyde F.C.

One of the most respected figures in football, Glenn Hoddle is in demand as an after dinner speaker for his football anecdotes and memories.