Hoddle expects Blues to look abroad for manager role
Glenn Hoddle wants the manager’s job at former club Chelsea – but concedes it is likely to be given to another foreign boss.
The 54-year-old spent three years at the Stamford Bridge helm during the mid-1990s, before leaving to take the England national team post.
Hoddle was the last Englishman to hold the manager’s job at Chelsea and does not expect that to change when Roman Abramovich chooses a long-term replacement for Andre Villas-Boas.
However, if the west Londoners do plump for a British boss, Hoddle would love to be considered for the post.
“I think they will probably keep with the policy of staying foreign, I really do,” he said.
“I was the last English manager to be there and that was a long, long time ago - over 15 years ago. That is staggering and I think they will probably go foreign, but it is strange because I loved working for the club.
“It was different then to what it is now and I only left because England came calling. If they were prepared to look for an English manager, I would love to go back there. I really must say that.
“I did a good job when I was there and a lot of Chelsea fans actually say when I meet them ’thanks for what you did because we started something there’.
“Chelsea hadn’t done much for 27 years and they could start to see the progression that was coming very quickly. It has obviously been taken on since Ken Bates was chairman and [former vice-chairman] Matthew Harding died.
“It has been taken on with new owners and the rest is history, but I think they will go foreign.”
Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed interim first-team coach for the remainder of the campaign following Villas-Boas’ exit the day after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at West Brom.
Hoddle was surprised by the Portuguese manager’s departure and believes Villas-Boas’ former assistant is in pole position to take the job going forward.
“I am a little bit surprised to see him go,” said Hoddle, speaking at the launch of the Elite Legends Cup at Loftus Road.
“I felt the key for AVB was going to be the Napoli game, but obviously the result at the weekend was probably just a bit too much for the club and they have changed.
“I wish Robbie Di Matteo all the best and he is in pole position really. If he does well between now and the end of the season, he could find himself getting that job full-time. I know Robbie well, good luck to him, it is a difficult task but I would still say they have got a good squad there.
“They have good players and a good back and whoever takes that job over has got an opportunity there without any shadow of a doubt.”
