When I worked with Glenn Hoddle on his autobiography Playmaker one of our most illuminating conversations was about his England career. The frustration itched away at him. “I always fought against the tide when I played for England,” Hoddle said. “There was never a coach who truly trusted me.”
We spoke about it for hours. Hoddle was a gem for an excellent Tottenham side, one of the best creative midfielders of his generation, but he was never England’s main man. He recalled feeling suffocated when he lined up on the right wing in a 4-4-2, wishing he had the freedom to drift inside to get on the ball, and he hated the idea that he was a luxury player.
