Latest news with #Hoddle
Metro
5 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Glenn Hoddle names 'team to beat' in Champions League and snubs PSG
Glenn Hoddle has named the 'team to beat' in the Champions League and overlooked holders Paris Saint-Germain. PSG clinched their first ever Champions League trophy last season, thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final. The French champions secured more silverware on Wednesday night as they came from two goals down against Tottenham to win the UEFA Super Cup. Thomas Frank looked set for an immediate trophy at the start of his Spurs tenure after Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero scored either side of half-time. But Lee Kang-in gave PSG hope with an 85th-minute goal and Goncalo Ramos' 95th-minute equaliser forced a penalty shootout. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it's an open goal. Luis Enrique's side held their nerve in the shootout to give PSG their first Super Cup trophy and deny Spurs a second European trophy in three months. PSG also impressed in the Club World Cup over the summer – losing to Chelsea in the final – and appear to be the favourites to win the Champions League this season. Hoddle insists PSG under Enrique are a 'serious team' but views Liverpool as the 'team to beat' in Europe, especially if Arne Slot gets a couple more transfer signings over the line. The Premier League champions have spent £250m so far this summer and remain interested in big-money moves for Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi. Asked who will emerge as PSG's biggest rival for the Champions League trophy this season, Hoddle told TNT Sports: 'For me, we're all hearing the same thing about Liverpool in the transfer market. 'If those deals so happen, wow, they will have some squad. So I would say Liverpool might be the ones to beat. 'If they get who they're tying to get, I think they will go very close in Europe. They're a very good sign now, never mind about the new signings. 'PSG are a serious team though and really well-balanced. That's why they will be one of the favourites to go back and win it but in any sport, winning a title is one thing but retaining it is very, very difficult.' Ex-England star Karen Carney, meanwhile, declared Barcelona as PSG's biggest rival in the Champions League. The La Liga champions reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season before losing to Inter Milan in heartbreaking circumstances. 'Barcelona's Achilles heel was just the defensive mindset last season but going forward they had absolutely everything,' she said. 'PSG will respect that and Barcelona could push them. PSG are full of quality, they're only just come back from their summer break. 'They're the ones to beat for me. It would be great if the English teams can bridge the gap but I still have my eye on that Barcelona team because if they sort out the defence they could push these guys.' Despite watching his Tottenham team concede two late goals and then lose the penalty shootout, Frank was able to take a number of positives from the Super Cup defeat. The former Brentford boss took over at Spurs earlier in the summer after the sacking of Ange Postecoglou. 'I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best at this moment in time,' Frank said. 'We had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes until the 2-1 goal, then of course the momentum shifted a little bit. More Trending 'The team, the players, the club, the fans, there is a lot to be happy with. It is a flip of the coin when you go to a penalty shootout. 'We showed that we can be adaptable and pragmatic, and we needed to be against a team like PSG. 'The way we wanted to defend, high pressure and low defending, was top, almost perfect, and also the set pieces were very good and dangerous.' Spurs face Burnley in their Premier League opener on Saturday while PSG begin their Ligue 1 title defence a day later against Nantes. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Liverpool set to complete £30m transfer deal for 'tough guy' ahead of Bournemouth clash MORE: Paul Merson fears Liverpool have a 'major problem' ahead of Premier League title defence MORE: How Manchester United scuppered Barcelona's transfer plans with £74m signing
Sydney Morning Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
The koala has crashed the party – and London's elite are paying attention
In the process, he is fostering a new form of 'koala diplomacy'. His event, which brings together prominent figures from Britain and Australia, is a reminder of how cultural ties can be leveraged to drive change. 'There was a real opportunity here to raise awareness for Australia's threatened wildlife, many of which people in the UK may not know about,' Hoddle says. 'I just don't think Australia was doing enough to take advantage of the obvious soft-power advantage it has here for causes like this.' This year's gala, which attracted 275 guests, was held at London's Merchant Taylors' Hall. Inside the 800-year-old venue – where King Henry VIII once feasted and Winston Churchill dined – a glittering crowd of British aristocrats, Australian expats and diplomatic heavyweights raised glasses of Clare Valley Riesling in honour of a small, sleepy marsupial some had never seen outside a zoo. Notable attendees included author Kathy Lette, socialite Lady Colin Campbell, and former Australian high commissioner to the UK George Brandis and his date, former British prime minister Liz Truss. The evening's entertainment featured Australian Amy Dickson, acknowledged by BBC Music Magazine as one of the world's best classical saxophonists to date. She performed a meditative piece inspired by the sounds of the Australian bush. Last year's event was featured in the pages of Tatler, a prestigious British society magazine renowned for its coverage of the upper echelons of high society, targeting affluent, influential individuals interested in fashion, culture, philanthropy and the arts. It will again feature in the July issue. The funds raised will support the AWC's efforts at Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary, a vital koala habitat in NSW. AWC, founded by the late British businessman and philanthropist Martin Copley in 1991 and boasting King Charles III as its patron, is the largest private conservation organisation in Australia, managing more than 12.9 million hectares of land across 33 sanctuaries. Its science-led approach to conservation includes habitat restoration, feral predator control and Indigenous partnerships, with a focus on reversing the decline of species such as the koala. In just two years, the Koala Gala has more than doubled its guest list from the previous year. Hoddle hopes to continue expanding the event, ultimately building it into a high-profile celebration of Australian wildlife akin to Tusk's African gala. 'We want to take it even further,' Hoddle says. 'It's not just about raising money; it's about creating a global conversation about Australia's biodiversity crisis. The koala is just the start – there's so much more to protect. 'I really have a vision where members of the royal family – who care so much about Australia, biodiversity and protecting endangered species – are the guests of honour.' Koalas, which are often considered the face of Australian wildlife, are a flagship species for AWC. Their habitat is critical not only for their survival but also for myriad other species that share the same environment. Loading 'While koalas are the focus, they represent so much more,' says Elizabeth Crotty, head of development for Australian Wildlife Conservancy UK. 'Protecting their habitat means safeguarding the future of many other species.'
The Age
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
The koala has crashed the party – and London's elite are paying attention
In the process, he is fostering a new form of 'koala diplomacy'. His event, which brings together prominent figures from Britain and Australia, is a reminder of how cultural ties can be leveraged to drive change. 'There was a real opportunity here to raise awareness for Australia's threatened wildlife, many of which people in the UK may not know about,' Hoddle says. 'I just don't think Australia was doing enough to take advantage of the obvious soft-power advantage it has here for causes like this.' This year's gala, which attracted 275 guests, was held at London's Merchant Taylors' Hall. Inside the 800-year-old venue – where King Henry VIII once feasted and Winston Churchill dined – a glittering crowd of British aristocrats, Australian expats and diplomatic heavyweights raised glasses of Clare Valley Riesling in honour of a small, sleepy marsupial some had never seen outside a zoo. Notable attendees included author Kathy Lette, socialite Lady Colin Campbell, and former Australian high commissioner to the UK George Brandis and his date, former British prime minister Liz Truss. The evening's entertainment featured Australian Amy Dickson, acknowledged by BBC Music Magazine as one of the world's best classical saxophonists to date. She performed a meditative piece inspired by the sounds of the Australian bush. Last year's event was featured in the pages of Tatler, a prestigious British society magazine renowned for its coverage of the upper echelons of high society, targeting affluent, influential individuals interested in fashion, culture, philanthropy and the arts. It will again feature in the July issue. The funds raised will support the AWC's efforts at Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary, a vital koala habitat in NSW. AWC, founded by the late British businessman and philanthropist Martin Copley in 1991 and boasting King Charles III as its patron, is the largest private conservation organisation in Australia, managing more than 12.9 million hectares of land across 33 sanctuaries. Its science-led approach to conservation includes habitat restoration, feral predator control and Indigenous partnerships, with a focus on reversing the decline of species such as the koala. In just two years, the Koala Gala has more than doubled its guest list from the previous year. Hoddle hopes to continue expanding the event, ultimately building it into a high-profile celebration of Australian wildlife akin to Tusk's African gala. 'We want to take it even further,' Hoddle says. 'It's not just about raising money; it's about creating a global conversation about Australia's biodiversity crisis. The koala is just the start – there's so much more to protect. 'I really have a vision where members of the royal family – who care so much about Australia, biodiversity and protecting endangered species – are the guests of honour.' Koalas, which are often considered the face of Australian wildlife, are a flagship species for AWC. Their habitat is critical not only for their survival but also for myriad other species that share the same environment. Loading 'While koalas are the focus, they represent so much more,' says Elizabeth Crotty, head of development for Australian Wildlife Conservancy UK. 'Protecting their habitat means safeguarding the future of many other species.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tottenham told of 'slight problem' ahead of Europa League final vs Manchester United
Glenn Hoddle has revealed the 'slight problem' facing Tottenham in an all-English Europa League final against Manchester United. Spurs sealed their place in the showpiece fixture on May 21 with a 5-1 aggregate win over Bodo/Glimt in the semi-final, claiming a 2-0 victory in the second leg thanks to a professional performance in Norway on Thursday night. Meanwhile, Man Utd thumped Athletic Club 7-1 across two legs. It means the Premier League rivals will face-off in Bilbao in less than two weeks, and for one side it is a chance to save what has been a disappointing campaign. Interestingly, Tottenham have beaten Man United three times this season. They recorded a Premier League double over the Red Devils without conceding a goal in addition to knocking them out of the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage. However, when speaking on TNT Sports after the win over Bodo/Glimt, Hoddle explained how difficult it is to beat one side four times in one season. He said: "A slight problem for me on a downer, to beat a team four times in one season from the Premier League is really tough, it really is. "But, it's a one-off game, Spurs, when they're on their game, when they defend properly, they're a match for anyone and they've proved that with some of the performances they have put in this year. "Go on and win it, and beat Man Utd" 😅David Bentley & Glenn Hoddle assess Spurs' victory tonight, and their chances in the all-English Final with Man Utd 👀🎙️ @lynseyhipgrave1 | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 8, 2025 "But it's just wonderful for Ange and those lads, they have worked hard, they have had a real up and down season, so many different injuries, lots of things being said about the club. "At the end of the day, they've found themselves in a final now against Manchester United. "They do love a European final against English opposition. They've had Wolves, Liverpool and now they've got another English team. It's ironic really but it is a fabulous night for the club."
New York Times
20-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Glenn Hoddle on Enzo Maresca and Chelsea: ‘You have to cut the negative noise out'
Glenn Hoddle knows what Enzo Maresca is going through as Chelsea's head coach. Maresca is coming under heavy criticism from Chelsea supporters during his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge — just as Hoddle endured 32 years ago. Their situations are not identical — Hoddle's Chelsea squad did not have the hundreds of millions spent on it that Maresca's has — but, even though a lot of time separates the two eras, there are a lot of similarities. Both men enjoyed successful playing careers (Maresca won five major trophies at Juventus and Sevilla, Hoddle claimed four at Tottenham and Monaco). They arrived at Chelsea having just won promotion from the Championship with a less fashionable team and little other managerial experience to call upon. In Hoddle's case, he had spent two years at Swindon Town, whereas Maresca lasted only 14 games at Parma in 2021 before making his mark at Leicester City in 2023-24. Advertisement Hoddle wanted Chelsea to play with three at the back; Maresca asks his men to go to three at the back when they are in possession. After making a bright start, Hoddle went on a run of nine defeats in 11 league games to put the club in a relegation battle and the fans got on his back. Maresca is beginning to get similar treatment after collecting only nine points from as many games. While Chelsea's position is not quite as dire, the Italian's bad run has still proved costly. Chelsea have dropped from second to sixth in the table and are now just six points clear of Brighton in 10th. If Maresca is looking for a source of comfort right now, then Hoddle might provide some of it. The former England midfielder turned around the negative momentum to get Chelsea to a mid-table finish and, more impressively, the 1994 FA Cup final. It was their first appearance in the FA Cup final for 24 years and there was an open-top parade the following day to celebrate the achievement, despite losing to Manchester United at Wembley. The crowd remained on Hoddle's side until he left to take over the national team in 1996. Hoddle tells The Athletic: 'As a manager, you have to cut out that negative noise from the outside. I had to do it when I was at Chelsea. I remember going through it myself because of my Tottenham background. I will never forget walking out after Chelsea lost 3-1 at Southampton on December 27 to drop to second bottom in the table and we had Newcastle the next day who were near the top of the league. We got on the bus and were getting loads of abuse from Chelsea fans. They were calling me all sorts of things and saying, 'Why don't you piss off back to Tottenham?'. 'It is not a nice situation. The pressure was on. But we beat Newcastle and it changed our season. You just have to stay focused on what your beliefs are. If you start doubting what you are doing, you are history, you are gone. 'Maresca will be hearing it (the criticism), but looking at him as a character, he can ignore it. Being a former player helps you cope with that, it teaches you to have no self-doubt. You have ups and downs as a player, injuries, bad form, and that is the life of a manager, too. You learn to respond to that pressure, it is in your DNA. But when things are not going great, that is when you really do your job.' Advertisement Hoddle tweaked his tactics to go with four at the back and a diamond midfield to improve Chelsea's fortunes. Maresca has shown little sign of abandoning how he sets up his team, hardly enhancing his popularity. Chelsea's form has also not been helped by a run of injuries to key players over the past two months. Maresca is without Nicolas Jackson, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Noni Madueke, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Guiu and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspended). Maresca is still changing his first XI regularly despite his diminished options and Hoddle believes this has to stop. 'Chelsea went to another level and suddenly something has happened, something has gone,' said Hoddle, who now works as a pundit on TNT Sports — where Chelsea's game against Southampton will be broadcast, along with all of the fixtures from matchday 27 of the Premier League. 'There is a frailty there and injuries, too, but now is the time for a settled side. 'They need the same team week in, week out, so they can understand how to play together. He just needs to choose who it is. If Chelsea lose the first one, just go again. Not enough teams do that. If they get a couple of good results, the team will grow and then the players from the bench know they have to do more to break into the XI. 'Here's just one example. Reece James has had to be protected a little as he comes back from an injury. But now he has played a few games, if he is the one you want, play him for the next five games. The same goes for Marc Cucurella on the other side. Maresca has options, but don't tinker with it, just play your strongest team and they can get back to where they were.' Cole Palmer is on his longest run without a goal or assist (five games) since joining Chelsea in 2023. His numbers for this season are still excellent, but some of the spark has gone from his displays in recent weeks as Maresca tries to find a solution for Jackson's absence. During the 3-0 defeat at Brighton last week, Palmer was often the furthest man forward, rather than Christopher Nkunku. Advertisement Hoddle is convinced Palmer will soon come good again but added: 'He has to play as a No 10 (attacking midfielder). Sometimes the higher up the pitch you go, the less ball you will get. You will be marked tight, so he is going to come deep to get it. 'Cole is the game-changer for Chelsea. If he scores one, he will be back on track. He has to play what I call the arc, to work across the width of the area. Things happen when he is on the ball. 'I would be saying to Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, 'Just give him the ball'. If Chelsea get him on the ball 90 per cent more than they are doing right now, he will make the difference. He will turn it around. 'But someone else has got to step up, too, to take that pressure. That's what has been difficult for him. It is hard to keep playing to that level of excellence, to always be the saviour, the one that scores or assists. It's impossible. So when he does have a blip like he is maybe having now, someone else has to take over.' So who does Hoddle see as needing to do that? France forward Nkunku, who has scored just twice in 21 league appearances this season, is unsurprisingly one of them. But Hoddle is also a big admirer of Pedro Neto and wants to see more from the winger signed from Wolves for £51.4million last summer. 'Neto is a top player,' he says. 'He can play on the left side, but he is lethal coming onto his left foot from the right. If he knows he is in the team every week, you will see him grow into the player he was at Wolves. We have seen a few big moments, but he has not been consistent because he has been in and out of the side. Give him the shirt and let him play on the right flank. 'Nkunku now has to become a striker, one looking to go in behind the centre-backs. I don't want him drifting anywhere else to get the ball. Play him in between the 18-yard box and if any cross comes in, he has to be in a position to be on the end of it. That will give Palmer a bit more space anyway because the centre-backs will have to drop off. Advertisement 'Maresca has done a really good job. To have that number of players on taking over, to filter out what he had to very quickly, to do what he felt was right for his team and to keep the camp buying into what he is doing, he has done very well. 'This Chelsea side are not in a relegation fight like mine was. They are on the tipping point of going up the table again. They just need a striker who can put the ball in the back of the net and not rely on Cole Palmer. If they score from a few other areas, players like Nkunku, then it can all turn.'
