Glenn Hoddle remains in a serious condition in a London hospital but is responding well to specialist treatment following a heart attack, a spokesman for the ex-England manager has announced.
The Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur legend collapsed while at BT Sports’ studio on Saturday, his 61st birthday, and was given emergency treatment by a TV crew member before being airlifted to hospital.
A statement on Sunday afternoon said: “Glenn remains in a serious condition in hospital after suffering a heart attack yesterday. He continues to respond well to treatment.
“The family are grateful to everyone in the football family – and beyond – that have sent kind messages of support, they are very much appreciated.
“In particular, Glenn and his family would like to publicly thank the BT Sport staff that treated him immediately on set following his collapse.
“Glenn is now in the care of the professional NHS medical services, who have also been exemplary in helping him and the family during the last 24 hours.
“Doctors have advised the most important thing for Glenn is time to rest. Therefore, his family have reiterated the request for their privacy to be respected during this period.”
Hoddle had appeared on Saturday Morning Savage alongside Robbie Savage, between 11:30 and 12:30, which saw him receive a birthday cake and play ‘Teqball’ – a football/table tennis game – with the ex-Premier League star.
He was next due to appear as a pundit on the BT Sport Score show. It was scheduled to air at 2:45pm, but was cancelled.
BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey was the first to reveal the news the former England manager had collapsed while at the studios.
Humphrey tweeted: “Our friend & colleague Glenn Hoddle was taken seriously ill at the BT Sport studio this morning. For that reason there will be no @btsportscore – but we will be live as usual for the 5.30 ko at Leicester. Everyone of us is right with you Glenn, sending love & strength.”
BT did show the evening Premier League match between Leicester and West Ham and, speaking at the start of the coverage, Humphrey said: “Whatever Glenn Hoddle is for you, whether he is one of the best footballers the country has ever produced, a wonderful colleague or a much-loved family member, the outpouring of love and support today has been quite something to behold.
“We at BT Sport add to that and we are standing alongside you Glenn and sending you the very best for a speedy recovery.”
Our friend & colleague Glenn Hoddle was taken seriously ill at the BT Sport studio this morning.
For that reason there will be no @btsportscore– but we will be live as usual for the 5.30 ko at Leicester.
Everyone of us is right with you Glenn, sending love & strength
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) October 27, 2018
Hoddle is regarded as one of the most talented players to represent England in recent decades. As well as Tottenham, he also played for Monaco and Chelsea and managed, among others, Chelsea, Southampton and Spurs, as well as England.
Messages of concern and support quickly began to pour in.
Former England team-mate Gary Lineker wished Hoddle well, writing on Twitter: “Hugely worrying news that Glenn Hoddle collapsed at the BT studios earlier. Thoughts are with him and his family. Come on Glenn.”
The Football Association, via the England team account, wrote: “Worrying news. Get well soon, Glenn Hoddle, we’re all behind you.”
Tottenham and Chelsea also sent their best wishes to their former player and manager, as did England captain Harry Kane who said his thoughts were with Hoddle.
Southampton manager Mark Hughes, a former team-mate of Hoddle at Chelsea, said after his side’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle: “I’ve only just heard. He’s in good hands by all accounts and we hope he’s able to come through this situation.
“I’m not sure how serious it is but clearly when these things happen there is a little bit of concern to the welfare of someone I know well, someone who signed me for Chelsea and was manager here when I was a player.
“We and everybody in football wishes him well because he’s a fantastic football guy.”
Brighton boss Chris Hughton added: “It’s very sad news. Glenn’s somebody I’ve known from the age of 12, 13. He was a schoolboy at Tottenham when was I was there and he was the star player that we all looked up to and could never get near.
“I, of course, worked under him when he was (Tottenham) manager as one of his coaches.
“So certainly my thoughts are with him and my prayers are with him. He’s got a strong character, Glenn, and I’m sure he’ll battle through it.”
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Hoddle won 53 caps for England while as manager he took his country to the 1998 World Cup finals in France, qualifying on the back of a memorable 0-0 draw away to Italy.
He lost the job the following year after expressing controversial views on reincarnation in a Sunday Times interview.
Former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence, who was a goalkeeping coach during Hoddle’s England reign, urged him to “stay strong”.
Michael Owen, who scored a memorable World Cup goal for England under Hoddle against Argentina in 1998, said: “Just hoping Glenn Hoddle is ok after falling ill today. Great manager and a great man.”