BIG Hoddle Hitch

06 November 2004

According to today's Sun, the appointment of Glenn Hoddle has hit a hitch over the length of contract on offer by Chairman Jeremy Peace. According to the report, Peace will only guarantee him a contract - on ?1 million a year - until the end of the season, with his future dependent on Albion surviving in the Premiership. It goes on to quote "inside sources" saying that the deal is hanging in the balance while they try to sort it out.

Meanwhile, Hoddle's former club, Spurs, have lost their manager. Jaques Santini has left the club for private and personal reasons, although speculation is rife that the situation was similar to that between Hoddle and Pleat last season and that he and their Director of Football didn't get on. Former Baggie Martin Jol, currently their first team coach and the choice of many fans for the Albion job, has taken temporary charge - but the current bookies favourite for the permanent role is a certain Mr G Megson. Small world, innit?

Update Saurday PM:

Albion have officially announced that Glenn Hoddle has been ruled of the running for the Manager's job. A statement from the Chairman, Jeremy Peace, on the official website said that "because of the incessant speculation linking Glenn with the job I think it is important to stress that we have decided he is no longer a contender". No further reasons were given for the decision, but it may be that the salary and the issues over the length of contract were too serious to overcome.

So nearly two weeks after the removal of Gary Megson we seem to be struggling to get off the starting blocks. Though apparently Bryan Robson has now emerged as a more serious contender for the job.

Previous Stories:

  04 November 2004:  Manager? No, just dithering

  29 October 2004:  Odds on the new boss

  27 October 2004:  Who's next for the hotseat ?

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