Rio Ferdinand Claims England Could Have Won Trophies Under Hoddle

England’s national football team has a long and storied history filled with both high hopes and deep disappointments. Since their last World Cup victory in 1966, the team has struggled to convert talent into triumph. Former player Rio Ferdinand recently reflected on this history, suggesting that the team might have ended its trophy drought had manager Glenn Hoddle not been dismissed in February 1999.

In a recent episode of his show, “Rio Meets,” Ferdinand asserted that had Hoddle remained in charge, England would have likely secured a major title. He stated, “If Hoddle stayed as England manager we would have won something.” Former teammate Michael Owen concurred, emphasizing that England was “absolutely” on a path to glory with Hoddle at the helm, especially ahead of the Euro 2000 tournament.

Hoddle took over the England managerial position following the Euro 1996 campaign, where the team reached the semi-finals as the host nation. His leadership included only one major tournament, the 1998 World Cup, where England suffered a penalty shootout loss to Argentina in the second round. Hoddle faced scrutiny for his decision to leave the iconic Paul Gascoigne out of the squad, while including young talents such as Ferdinand and Owen, who were aged 19 and 18, respectively.

Hoddle’s coaching style was notable for its focus on technical skill and discipline. He was among the first England managers to adopt modern football tactics, utilizing a 3-5-2 formation that emphasized wing-backs and midfield fluidity. His tenure was marked by an impressive average of 1.96 points per game across 28 matches in charge.

The abrupt end to Hoddle’s managerial reign came not as a result of performance but due to controversial remarks he made regarding individuals with disabilities. In an interview with Matt Dickinson of The Times, Hoddle suggested that such individuals were “paying for sins from a previous life,” leading to public outrage. His comments drew condemnation from various politicians, including Sports Minister Tony Banks and Prime Minister Tony Blair, although Hoddle maintained that his words were misinterpreted.

Ultimately, the Football Association (FA) terminated Hoddle’s contract on February 2, 1999. He was succeeded by Kevin Keegan, who led England into Euro 2000, where the team exited in the group stage, prompting further managerial changes.

Reflecting on this history, Ferdinand’s comments reignite discussions about what might have been for England’s Golden Generation. With a wealth of talent at their disposal, many fans remain haunted by the notion of missed opportunities and the impact of managerial stability on international success.