Glenn Hoddle charges at Ferguson: “It was unprofessional”

Former England coach Glenn Hoddle has called Sir Alex Ferguson “unprofessional” and recalls an episode between the two more than 20 years ago. Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson was often reluctant to let his players go off to play for his national teams, as he wanted them to be fully focused on bringing the Old Trafford club to glory. Hoddle has revealed the tension that existed between them, when he tried to summon the Three Lions team for a friendly before the 1998 World Cup.

In his new book, ‘Playmaker: My life and love of football’, via ‘The Guardian’, Hoddle recalls receiving a call from Ferguson: “Sometimes there were problems getting players to report to work and I had an argument with Ferguson for two of his players before a friendly. His conduct was unprofessional when we spoke on the phone. I wasn’t going to use the players, but I wanted them to join us because we were preparing for the World Cup. I can’t repeat what he called me. I just hung up the phone. “

Hoddle went on to say that Fergie had tried calling him to apologize and added: “He called again to apologize but he wasn’t happy.”