16 November 2023 , 15:34
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Glenn Hoddle insists he has “no problem” with David Beckham or outspoken comments made by the former England captain’s mum Sandra.
Beckham's life was the focus of a Netflix documentary released last month, including an in-depth look at his storied playing career, with his early time with England forming a significant part of the final edit. The former Manchester United midfielder was handed his international debut by Hoddle and selected in his squad for the 1998 World Cup.
Despite becoming a key player during qualifying, Hoddle suggested Beckham was “not focused” on football ahead of the tournament and left him out of the starting lineup to play Tunisia in the opening game in France. Beckham eventually worked his way back into the side before his infamous red card against Argentina in the last-16 as England were eliminated.
Beckham's wife Victoria and mum Sandra were not particularly big fans of former Three Lions boss Hoddle, who they felt failed to protect him from the backlash which followed.
"Glenn Hoddle said his head wasn’t in the right place [before Tunisia], didn’t he?" Sandra recalled during the documentary, titled: 'Beckham'. "I just put him on my hit list – people that upset me."
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Hoddle’s claims that Beckham “cost” England with his moment of madness vs Argentina did not go down well. Victoria added: "Glenn Hoddle didn’t come out and try to protect him. And how old was David, 23? You’re a kid at 23. Glenn Hoddle was a man. I wouldn’t say a man actually, he was an older person.”
Hoddle has now responded to those comments and insists that Beckham's family were entitled to their opinions, and they don’t change his view on his former player. Speaking to talkSPORT, the 66-year-old said: "I’ve got no problem with David. He was a fabulous player for me and one of the best players this country has produced.
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"I haven’t seen the documentary, I’ve got no worries with what he said. If it goes well, I wish him all the success. I believe his mum had a little dig at me. Well, my mum would have defended me to the hilt as well."
Beckham made 20 appearances for England while Hoddle was at the helm, including the final group game at the World Cup where he scored a crucial free-kick against Colombia. His World Cup would quickly sour after kicking out at Argentina's Diego Simeone before returning home to fierce criticism and anger from England fans.
Beckham would only play for England twice more under Hoddle - a European qualifier against Luxembourg, as well as a friendly against the Czech Republic. Hoddle was eventually sacked in February 1999 for controversial comments he made to the media.
Beckham would go on to amass 115 caps for England ahead of his international retirement in 2009. He had also captained the Three Lions during his career.