Over the years, former England player and manager Glenn Hoddle worked with some pretty special footballers. Earning 53 senior caps with the Three Lions, before taking charge of his country between 1996 and 1999, the retired midfielder knows a thing or two about talent within the sport.
On the pitch, his best moments came for Tottenham Hotspur and Monaco, winning two FA Cups in England, and then a league title in France. As a coach, he won the Tournoi de France with the Three Lions, and also spent time at Chelsea and Spurs.
For all his experience, it's interesting to learn that Hoddle was blown away by one teenager at Manchester United.
Hoddle Was in Awe of 'Special' English Talent David Beckham
England manager Glenn Hoddle with David Beckham in 1996
David Beckham will forever be hailed as one of England's all-time greats. He earned 115 caps for the Three Lions (third behind Peter Shilton, 125, and Wayne Rooney, 120), and it was Hoddle who gave the talented midfielder his first-ever call-up way back in 1996.
The young Man Utd star was just 21 at the time, playing a World Cup 98 qualifier away in Moldova, but Hoddle had long since recognised the youngster's potential. Indeed, he later claimed that he saw 'something special' in the Old Trafford icon when he was just 18.
Speaking in 2009, after Beckham had just equalled Bobby Moore's record of 108 England caps for an outfield player, Hoddle lauded his former player:
"I remember watching him when he was 18 playing for Manchester United and you knew then that he had something special. He made the game look simple and he had a different style about him to anybody else.
"To reach 108 caps is a fantastic achievement and he deserves to be there. I think it is right that he's in the squad."
At the time, Beckham was aiming to make England's 2010 World Cup and Hoddle backed him to stay in the picture ahead of the tournament, adding: "He's kept himself so fit and he will play on for as long as he can.
"The training is the important thing. Anyone can go out there and play in front of 80,000 people, it's fantastic. But it's the training in between when your body and mind says 'I've had enough of this.' But he's got the love of the game, he truly loves it, so I'm sure he can keep going."
Sadly, however, Beckham would rupture his Achilles tendon in March 2010, which ruled him out of selection for the tournament in South Africa. The Man Utd legend would manage 115 appearances for the Three Lions in total, but played his last game in 2009 before the injury.
Hoddle Claimed He Protected Beckham After 1998 World Cup Red Card
David Beckham is sent off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.
Although Hoddle was able to reflect fondly on Beckham's international career, the pair did not always enjoy the most pleasant time working together with England. He was accused of throwing the Three Lions legend under the bus after the infamous red card vs Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.
England lost on penalties, and Hoddle said after the match that the sending-off changed the game and added that Beckham needed to learn from his mistake after letting his side down. Years later, though, he talked down any accusations that he didn't defend his player.
He explained: "I know I went to a press conference in France after the game and said exactly the opposite. I said David cannot be made a scapegoat." He added: "I remember phoning him afterwards and asking if he wanted help, he said no, I'm OK, the club is helping me, blah blah blah. Maybe he's forgotten that, I don't know. But I remember that distinctly.
"It was a dreadful time for him and he showed such character. Not about his abilities, but to come through that, and show the character that he showed, and the mentality to come through it and then see... the rest of his England career was magnificent from the lad.
"But throw him under the bus? No way. I actually protected him in more ways than he probably knows actually."
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