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Last Updated: Monday, 22 September, 2003, 17:59 GMT 18:59 UK
Hoddle vows to bounce back
Glenn Hoddle
Hoddle has been shown the door
Glenn Hoddle has insisted he will manage "at the highest level" again after being sacked by Tottenham.

The former England manager was dismissed on Sunday after taking only four points from the first six games of the season.

He now plans to take a break from the game to spend time with his family, but promised this would not be the end of his coaching career.

"I am now going to take stock and put in some quality time with my family who have also stood by me during this difficult period," he said in a statement.

"When the time is right I look forward to continuing my managerial career at the highest level."

Hoddle admitted he was surprised to be dismissed so early in the season.

"I am shocked and disappointed to have parted company with Tottenham over the weekend only six matches into the new season.

"This is the first time in my managerial career it has happened to me for football reasons.

"I have been a dedicated professional and also a lifelong Spurs fan, and no-one could have tried harder to turn things round for the club.

"I have built a great squad that when fully fit can go on to do very well this season. I feel sure this turning point will happen very soon."

Glenn is absolutely devastated - he is Tottenham through and through
John Gorman
"I particularly want to thank the Spurs fans who have shown me great support and loyalty from the beginning right to the end," added Hoddle. "I really wanted to return Spurs to the glory days for the fans.

"However, I wish the players and the club every success for the future.

"I would also like to give my thanks to the backroom staff for all their support and in particular, John Gorman, who worked tirelessly alongside me and also finds himself in the same position."

Gorman revealed on BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "Glenn is absolutely devastated - he is Tottenham through and through.

"We have both worked extremely hard and you just want to be successful."

Tottenham spent almost �12m on new players in the summer, but endured their worst ever start to a Premiership campaign.

But Gorman believes that Spurs' decision to axe the pair is rash.

"We wanted to give the Spurs fans success and joy and we never really achieved that. We would have loved to have given them success but it hasn't happened," he added.

"Sir Alex Ferguson is now rightly acclaimed very highly at Manchester United but he had a hard time for a long while but he managed to stay in the job and look how successful he's been.

"Sometimes these decisions have to be made, but this is not an easy day."




WATCH AND LISTEN
Neil Sullivan
"He was on borrowed time as it was"





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