Souness steps back from Tottenham job

As Tottenham began the search for a new manager after Glenn Hoddle's sacking on Sunday night, one of the favourites for the job, Graeme Souness, appeared to have ruled himself out. Souness gave a broad hint that he has no intention of moving, saying: "There are very few jobs in football better than mine."

Possible candidates include the former Barcelona manager Raddy Antic - a friend of David Pleat, the club's director of football and caretaker manager - and Celtic's Martin O'Neill. Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp is also in the frame, as are Charlton's Alan Curbishley and Rangers' Alex McLeish. A surprise candidate is David Ginola.

Antic did not rule himself out but he said in Spain yesterday that he has had no contact with White Hart Lane.

Hoddle said he was "shocked and disappointed" to have been sacked, saying: "This is the first time in my managerial career it has happened to me for football reasons. I have built a great squad that when fully fit can go on to do very well this season."

Ginola, who spent three years at White Hart Lane, said: "The club is in my heart. I am Tottenham and I believe I can be the perfect ambassador for them."

Hoddle's departure was described by the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust as "like a death in the family". Daniel Wynne, spokesman for the trust, said: "It is like a death in the family - one of our sons has failed. However, sometimes a death can put people out of their misery - and that is how it feels for us right now."