I want the best for Saints, says Hoddle

GLENN HODDLE last night stressed that he wants what is best for Southampton – and he believes he is the right man to take the club to the next level.

Hoddle is in the frame for a return to St Mary's to succeed Gordon Strachan, due to take a break from the game at the end of the season.

However, a section of Southampton fans have voiced their concerns because they feel Hoddle let them down when he walked out to join Tottenham in March 2001.

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe appears determined to do what he believes is right for the club and refuses to be influenced by supporters and Hoddle insists he also has the club's best interests at heart.

"Southampton Football Club is the most important thing," Hoddle said.

"However, I would be very keen to go back because I have unfinished business, and I hope the fans would allow me to try and take the club to the next level.

"I understand their frustrations at the way my managership of the club ended last time, but I hope they can understand that the lure of Tottenham was too great for me to turn down.

"They were the only club I would have left Southampton for because they were close to my heart since the age of eight. I did a good job for Southampton. "

Hoddle's first stint in charge of the Saints began when he took over from Dave Jones in January 2000 and was in charge for 14 months and 52 matches, recording 22 wins, 18 draws and a dozen defeats.

When 46-year-old Hoddle left, the club were seventh in the Premiership and enjoying a five-match unbeaten run. Hoddle will be hoping that fans' objections can be overcome and he can return to football management.

Lowe has no doubts about Hoddle's ability and said in a statement today: "He is a tremendous coach. We want somebody who can coach the excellent squad we have built up, to lead them and be tactically aware so instead of us going to Old Trafford and Highbury and losing narrowly, we win.

"Glenn left this club under a cloud but if anyone should be bearing a grudge it is me as he put me through the mill (when he left).

"Glenn Hoddle remains an option. We have not done a U-turn he could still be appointed manager.

"Regardless of whether he is the popular choice we will do what is right for the club."

Meanwhile, Paul Scholes and Fulham are waiting to learn whether the FA will take disciplinary action against them after separate incidents.

Scholes was seen to push Middlesbrough midfielder Doriva in the face during Wednesday's 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford and may face an investigation by the video advisory panel.

The FA were, however, waiting to hear if referee Paul Durkin, who did not book Scholes, witnessed the incident.

If Durkin did see the incident but deliberately took no action, then Scholes is in the clear. If he missed it, the FA will almost certainly investigate and a suspension could add to United's current problems.

The governing body are also concerned about an incident on Wednesday at Loftus Road when a bottle was thrown onto the pitch.

Once again, the FA were awaiting the official report from referee Barry Knight before coming to any conclusions, although it again seems likely that they will investigate.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman said: "What sort of coward throws a bottle onto the field? It's a disgrace. I hope they got who it was and threw him out.

"Anyone who comes to Fulham will tell you it's friendly. We haven't got a bad crowd and I don't know who that idiot was, but I hope they find him."