Hoddle anxious to find new job

Tottenham admitted defeat in their attempt to lure Martin O'Neill away from Celtic to replace Glenn Hoddle as their manager yesterday after being told that he will definitely be staying at the Glasgow club.

Hoddle, who was sacked last month, said yesterday that he is desperate for work. "I'm bored stiff already," he said. "I want to work. I feel there's unfinished business. I'm 46 years of age and I want a job."

Hoddle is still struggling to reconcile himself with his dismissal so soon into the new season. "I just feel frustrated that, after six matches, they decided to sack me," he said. "It was illogical. I still can't get my head round it.

"It's very different to leaving the England job," Hoddle added. "That wasn't for football reasons, and at the end of that experience I felt absolutely shattered. I needed a year off and I took it.

"But at the moment I don't feel like that at all. I'm full of enthusiasm. I don't feel in need of a rest. I want to work again."

Hoddle concluded on an optimistic note. "Who's to say that one day I won't end up back at Spurs?" he asked. "Who knows? Football's such a weird game, isn't it?"