LONDON: Former England manager Glenn Hoddle is recovering in hospital after having been taken “seriously ill” on Saturday morning.

The former England and Tottenham manager was taken ill after appearing as a pundit for BT Sport earlier in the day on his 61st birthday.

“The condition is serious but Glenn is receiving specialist treatment and responding well,” a spokesman said.

Hoddle earned 53 England caps and is considered to be one of the players of his generation.

BT presenter Jake Humphrey earlier confirmed Hoddle was “taken seriously ill at the BT Sport studio this morning”.

The station’s Saturday afternoon football results show was cancelled as a result.

The spokesman added: “Earlier today Glenn collapsed at the BT Sport studios – he received immediate medical attention on set and was transferred by paramedics to a hospital in London.

“His family are with him and would like to thank everyone for their support. They have also asked to respect their privacy at this time.”

Gary Lineker, the Match of the Day presenter and former Tottenham and England striker, posted on social media: “Hugely worrying news that Glenn Hoddle collapsed at the BT studios earlier. Thoughts are with him and his family. Come on, Glenn.”

As a player, Hoddle won the FA Cup and Uefa Cup with Tottenham and also had spells with Monaco, Swindon and Chelsea.

Hoddle became player-manager at Swindon and Chelsea, and is credited with turning the west London side into a cosmopolitan outfit by signing Netherlands great Ruud Gullit, who went on to replace him as boss at Stamford Bridge.

As national manager Hoddle, who won 53 caps, led England to the 1998 World Cup finals in France, qualifying on the back of a memorable 0-0 draw away to Italy.

His reign ended in controversy when he admitted a “serious error of judgement” after suggesting disabled people were being made to pay for the sins of past lives.

He went on to manage Southampton, Tottenham and Wolves, before continuing coaching and his career as a TV pundit.

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