Supporters Attitudes Towards Glenn Hoddle

The nation is divided over the vexed issue of Glenn Hoddle's long-term future as England coach. An exclusive MORI poll, commissioned by Sportsmail, targeted supporters' opinions in the wake of England's last two European Championship games - the goalless draw against Bulgaria at Wembley last Saturday and the 3-0 midweek victory in Luxembourg.

Hoddle has maintained that he is the target of an increasingly hysterical campaign from sections of the media, and support for him is delicately poised.

Fifty-four per cent of fans in our poll believe Hoddle should stay on, while 36% feel he should go now. A further breakdown of fans who attend 10 or more games in a season showed an even closer vote: 48% believing he should stay against 47% saying he should go immediately.

Hoddle has not been dismissed as an expendable failure but the balance of public opinion is wavering and the fans remain to be convinced that he is the right man to lead the national side in the long term.

One clear message to Hoddle's players emerges from our poll: England fans clearly believe they have not shown enough pride in recent matches.

Captain Alan Shearer has grown increasingly tetchy during the past week at the mounting criticism hurled at the England camp. He even said the abuse was undermining the team's confidence.

But more than half, 54%, of our poll felt that the England players lacked pride in their international shirts. A damning indictment.

If Hoddle does go, the name most cited by fans as their chosen replacement is former England boss Terry Venables. He received most votes but, even so, that response constituted only 15 per cent of the poll.

One other key aspect emerged. Despite England's slide down FIFA's ratings, 48% of fans remain convinced England are a major power in world football. In fact, 53% of those who regularly attend games say England are among the world's elite.

David Walker - Mail on Sunday

Q1 To what extent do you agree or disagree that England is a major power in world football?

Q2 Overall, in the two matches played this week, do you think that the players have shown enough pride in playing for England? Q3 Would you accept a non-Englishman as England coach? Q4 Do you think Glenn Hoddle should or should not stay as England coach?

Q5 When Glenn Hoddle does leave the job, who do you want to be England's next coach?

Technical details

MORI interviwed, by telephone, 500 football supporters aged 16+ who watch football on TV at least once a month on 15th October 1998.