AFTER years being jettisoned by England as a player, Glenn Hoddle's dismissal as national coach perhaps did not come as a major surprise.

Hoddle, unarguably the most gifted player of his generation, was repeatedly rejected by England managers during a playing career that saw him win just 53 caps - a mere ten more than Phil Neville has already managed to amass!

Rival countries often mocked England's inability to fit Hoddle into countless international teams and it was widely accepted that had the graceful midfielder been born in Brazil or France he could have become one of the world's greatest-ever talents.

The consensus on the continent was that Hoddle's skills were not appreciated in his home country.

Detractors might argue that Hoddle, whose passing range put current England captain David Beckham in the shade, never produced for the Three Lions.

The debate is an old one but surely one place Hoddle felt entitled to a modicum of support, belief and understanding was White Hart Lane, where he gave eight years of mouthwatering service as a player.

That is why his dismissal this week after just six games of the new Premiership season, regardless of the disappointing run-in to the last campaign, is ridiculously rash and unfair.

The Spurs board explained their actions by citing "two seasons of disappointment" during Hoddle's brief 29-month reign as manager.

Two seasons! Ask most White Hart Lane diehards and they will tell you their disappointment at the club's underachievement stretches back a lot further than that.

Tottenham last won a trophy when Gazza spectacularly lost the plot at Wembley in 1991 and it seems the year ending in one will never again guarantee silverware in the white half of north London. A barren 2001 under George Graham ended that particular superstition and brought Hoddle to the helm.

But Hoddle's return to Tottenham was more than a romantic notion. Spurs were not just appointing a White Hart Lane legend they were also gaining a respected coach and manager, who aside from guiding England to the 1998 World Cup finals ahead of Italy, had also improved the fortunes of Swindon, Chelsea and Southampton.

The steady decline of Tottenham over the years, however, meant he was never going to be an overnight Messiah.

One win and a draw from six Premiership fixtures does not represent the best of starts but Hoddle, who walked out on hero worship at Southampton to take up his dream job, deserved more loyalty from his employers.

Spurs fans have placed no pressure on the club's board, instead staying patient and refusing to call for Hoddle's head even after Southampton's 3-1 win at the Lane over the weekend. The majority of Tottenham supporters were willing, or rather desperate, to give Hoddle more time.

Manchester United could have claimed more justification for sacking Alex Ferguson in 1990 after three trophy-less seasons and a 5-1 derby thrashing than Spurs can in discarding Hoddle now.

In terms of history, fan base and geographical location, there is no reason why Spurs should not be a bigger club than Arsenal and Chelsea but they have not been for more than ten years and any frustration at that situation should not lie at Hoddle's door.

The next managerial appointment at White Hart Lane will be an intriguing one but I believe Hoddle will prosper again long before his beloved Spurs do.

Updated: 11:58 Tuesday, September 23, 2003