So former Wolves and England captain Paul Ince is advocating the return of former Wolves and England boss Glenn Hoddle as national manager.
It’s a suggestion that will probably be open to ridicule, and at 100-1 the bookies are certainly not convinced.
But do you know what? From a purely footballing perspective, Ince may actually have a point.
There’s only ever been one England manager with a better “win-ratio” than Hoddle’s figure of 60.71%.
And that was a certain World Cup winner by the name of Alf Ramsey, with 61.06%.
For the record, in terms of recent history, Sven stands fourth (59.7), Steve McClaren sixth (50), Terry Venables ninth (47.82), Graham Taylor tenth (47.36), and Kevin Keegan 12th (38.88).
But beyond the mere stats, Hoddle’s three-year England tenure stands up to the fiercest scrutiny.
When it comes to qualification for major tournaments – the be-all and end-all for any international manager – he achieved his one and only target by reaching the1998 World Cup.
And lest we forget, his final crucial fixture was not at home to a Croatia side who had already qualified, it was away to the mighty Italy who needed all three points.
It was on that momentous night in Rome that Hoddle’s tactical acumen took England to one of their finest nights of the last decade, the eventual 0-0 draw almost overshadowing the fact that an ultra-professional and often-attacking performance probably deserved the win.
Then the tournament itself.
Yes there were question marks about his delay in using Michael Owen and David Beckham, perhaps understandably, but once more on the big stage England delivered, and despite being reduced to ten men would have seen off Argentina but for the ridiculous disallowing of Sol Campbell’s ‘winner’.
Of course a year later Hoddle was gone, and clearly the FA had no choice after some at the very least misconstrued and at worst incredibly insensitive views about people with disabilities.
Back though to the football, and there will be a legion of Wolves fans who would ceremoniously burn their St Georges Flags on Asda car park at the mere hint that Hoddle was returning to the England job.
During his 20 months at Molineux, it is true that he ‘inspired’ Wolves to some of their most insipid football of a generation, and never ‘clicked’ with a fanbase who demand their manager accept the mentality and traditions of the club.
But the fact that Hoddle didn’t do radio phone-ins or fans forums? Oh the calamity!
Would anyone really have given a jot if Wolves had been flying high at the top of the table?
Admittedly his man management of the team on a one-to-one level was often aloof and thus ultimately poor.
His “over-coaching” of players unable to grasp the high levels at which he operated and demands on tactics and systems beyond even the most accomplished Championship performer ultimately made Hoddle and Wolves a marriage made in hell.
But that is perhaps precisely the reason why he makes a perfect international manager and yet such a difficult club one, particularly in Championship rather than Premiership.
Hoddle’s command of tactics – as shown by those performances against Italy and Argentina – is immense.
The Wolves players may understandably have struggled to execute them, but behind the scenes, and when talking to the press about individuals, when in the mood Hoddle could be fascinating and insightful.
And while his self-absorption and detached personality made it difficult for club players to warm to, at international level, when usually together for days rather than weeks and months, it shouldn’t matter.
After all, a manager’s job is not to be bosom buddy to that of his players, it’s just to get them to produce results.
The whole ‘Hoddle experience’ is one which is far better suited to the international arena, far better geared towards sporadic contact with high-class players able to understand and meet his standard of tactical expertise without becoming bored or disinterested by it.
Which let’s face it, is a standard which makes McClaren look like a PE teacher reluctantly accepting the task of coaching the under-11s.
Hoddle for England? It’ll never happen.
Because like Venables, he lost his job for non-footballing reasons which caused embarrassment to the FA.
And they never allowed Venables back into Soho Square again did they?
Well I never….
Comments (4)
Well yeah but can Glenn teach the likes of lampard and gerard to do fancy skills like he used to? Back spin on free kicks aint the easiest skill to perfect.
Posted by Carl | November 23, 2007 12:46 AM
Posted on November 23, 2007 00:46
Carl? Is that you bruv? Yeh well. Them skills aren't easy to do are they bruv? Only a few of us gifted players can do them skills.
Posted by Glenn | November 23, 2007 10:54 AM
Posted on November 23, 2007 10:54
It's daft that we lost both Venables and Hoddle at a time when they'd really got England playing well. Maybe they were both stupid in what they did, maybe the FA could have handled things better. I think sacking McClaren is only the half of it - some of the old suits at Soho Square have got to go as well.
Posted by John Bull | November 23, 2007 11:35 AM
Posted on November 23, 2007 11:35
Spot on John. Barwick and his cronies were up there on thursday saying there has to be a root and branch reform of the way things are done. Ergo: the way things are done is crap.
Well, it's them who have totally orchestrated the way things have been done.
But will they be accountable and go? Nah.
To borrow the old Winston Churchill line: They couldn't run a whelk stall.
Posted by Warwick Alf (from over the hill) | November 23, 2007 12:23 PM
Posted on November 23, 2007 12:23