As the world of football is trying to digest the breaking news that Spain have only gone and sacked their gaffer on the very eve of the World Cup, a few of us happen to find ourselves sitting in the affable company of a man who also famously missed out on the Mundial, but for a very different reason.

TWO MINDS: Chris Kamara made the most of a rare seat on the ‘Soccer Saturday’ panel:

Do you remember who said: “That five years as an electrician probably just grounded myself”?

Mauricio Pochettino would not swap the progress made at Tottenham over the last three years for Arsenal’s two FA Cups.

And so they left with a bang not a whimper, as Spurs said goodbye to White Hart Lane after 118 years in emphatic style, playing Manchester United off the park, sealing second spot in the Premier League, and showing why they are considered the most exciting young side in the country.

Different era, same trauma. For Séamus Coleman 2017 read Jimmy Holmes 1979.

Liverpool fans yearn for the success enjoyed by the club in the 1980s, writes Brendan O’Brien.

I have to say that, all those centuries past, it was very far-seeing and considerate of his ancestors to arrange for the new England manager to come among us in 2016 with a ‘gate’ already appended to his surname, thus sparing journalists the effort of having to add the same four letters if – when? - his reign goes, as it were, south.

Larry Ryan breaks down the Rob Hennelly episode...

“It is the story of a vast superiority, sacrificed through stupidity, shortsightedness, and wanton insularity. It is a story of shamefully wasted talent, extraordinary complacency, and infinite self-deception.”

Here we are, back again to those regular bedfellows, the bantz and the ‘controvassy’.

Martin O’Neill has poured scorn on the suggestion he will have to guard against the boredom and grumbles that were supposedly rife among Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland squad in the lead-up and during Euro 2012.

This very weekend back in 1999, Glenn Hoddle was a dead man walking as manager of England, an ironically appropriate condition for him to find himself in, since it was a newspaper interview in which he had amplified his belief in reincarnation which had put him on the front as well as the back pages and brought him, as an international gaffer, to an authentic point of no return.

Check out the best of tonight's telly below.

It’s 33 years ago but Charlie McGeever still has vivid memories of the Gaelic football match he should never have played in.

Correct us if we’re wrong here, but isn’t football’s silly season supposed to peter out once the season actually starts? Not so, it seems. Here we are with three games gone in the Premier League and the fluff is still overshadowing the important stuff. It’s almost as if a media that had to rely on the mad and mundane for the off-season finds itself unable to kick the habit.

Will his stint as assistant to Martin O’Neill be Roy Keane’s last job in management? Doubtful. Do I see myself going back into management? Yeah. And I think there will be a job out there for me.

Gary Lineker has been unveiled as the face of BT Sport’s coverage of the Champions League from next season.

Premier League

Harry Redknapp insists his career is not finished following his sudden resignation as QPR manager.

The fact remains that this is a club with a default setting of one step forward followed by two back, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Newcastle expect to complete the process of identifying potential replacements for Alan Pardew within the next 48 hours.

Here's the sporting year in [guff] quotes.

Christian Eriksen can become one of the Premier League’s best playmakers and go down in Tottenham folklore, according to team-mate Jan Vertonghen.

QPR manager Harry Redknapp bears no grudge against Adel Taarabt following their public spat this week and insists he merely wants the Morocco playmaker to return to shape and form.

Your spoiler-free guide to what's on the box tonight.

Tottenham 4 QPR 0

Iain Moody has resigned from his role as sporting director of Crystal Palace with immediate effect, the club have announced.

Crystal Palace appear to have pressed pause on a move for Malky Mackay to take over at Selhurst Park with caretaker boss Keith Millen expected to be in charge for Saturday’s meeting with West Ham.

There was a timely boost for the Premier League, this week, when it was estimated that at a typical Arsenal home game, more than 6,000 people with tickets don’t show up at all.

Glenn Hoddle has been appointed to QPR’s backroom staff, the Barclays Premier League club have announced.

Glenn Hoddle is considering a return to football coaching with QPR, but it is understood any role would likely be on a part-time basis as the former England manager juggles numerous other commitments.

One major selection dilemma haunts Alejandro Sabella ahead of the clash with Belgium; will he stick with calamity centre-half, Lorenzo?

The sights and sounds of World Cups.

Bits and pieces from the sidelines in Brazil

Andy Townsend not up to speed: “The players are always greeted with such velocity here at Old Trafford.”

Reluctant gambler Mick Martin will rarely punt the full house: “You’d have put your kitchen sink on Hernandez to score there.”

Tim Sherwood has hit back at Glenn Hoddle after the former Spurs manager criticised his players’ mentality in the defeat at Liverpool.

Tim Sherwood’s infamous rant after Tottenham’s defeat at Chelsea last week has raised more questions than it has provided answers.

Michael Carrick is adamant Manchester United will continue the fight to retain their Premier League title, even if their bid appears forlorn after falling 14 points behind.