Hoddle Backed To Land Manager's Role

Former England player Ray Wilkins has said he would like to see Glenn Hoddle land the vacant manager's job.

Hoddle managed England from 1996 to 1999, taking the Three Lions to the last 16 at the 1998 World Cup before losing to Argentina on penalties.

But Hoddle, who had replaced Terry Venables after Euro 96, was dismissed following an interview he gave regarding disabled people when discussing his beliefs.

He has not managed for 10 years since leaving Wolves, but according to Wilkins he is nonetheless the man to take England forward and fulfil the potential of the current crop of players.

He told Sky Sports News: "Yes, I would still go with Hoddle. He's still young enough, and I think he's enthusiastic enough and I heard him call the game the other night [against Iceland] and I think he called the game perfectly.

"He's had the experience of being in World Cups. I think he could have been an amazing manager, but he has not been in the game for such a long time. I would love to see Glenn come back and try and control this group of guys we have at the moment.

"We have some potentially very good footballers in that group and I just feel potentially that Glenn might be the one to take them forward. We have some very good footballers at the moment, but we are very short of people that you could actually call world-class.

"What about Gareth Southgate's claims? Yes, he's done a remarkable job with the U21s and his attitude would be 100%. I have no problem with Gareth going in and taking the job but I would like to see someone come in above him who has experienced this situation before because the U21 situation and the full squad are totally different.

"If we have someone to guide him over that period and if we can start to generate the potential of the players then we could have a little bit of success, but no matter who takes the job it is going to require a lot of hard work. The most important thing we have now is to qualify for the next World Cup."

Wayne Rooney equalled David Beckham's record of most caps for an outfield player against Iceland (115), but some were calling for his retirement after the ignominious defeat. Rooney insists he intends to carry on, and Wilkins says he still has a vital role to play for his country.

He said: "People say it is time for Wayne Rooney to hang up his boots, but in my humble opinion he is still the best footballer that we have.

I would say to Wayne 'Take us to to the next World Cup and then let's analyse your feelings when we get there'. We have to be at the next World Cup in Russia."