France set to reject Hoddle's offer to replace Santini

Glenn Hoddle appears to be out of the running to be the new France coach. The French football federation confirmed yesterday that just three men remain in the running for the role, and reports in France indicate that the former England manager is not on the shortlist.

Glenn Hoddle appears to be out of the running to be the new France coach. The French football federation confirmed yesterday that just three men remain in the running for the role, and reports in France indicate that the former England manager is not on the shortlist.

Hoddle and the former Senegal coach, Bruno Metsu, had been seen as outsiders, with former France players Laurent Blanc and Jean Tigana, and the France Under-21, coach Raymond Domenech, the front-runners.

Metsu withdrew his interest once it became apparent he was an outsider, but Hoddle remained keen.

René Girard, a former assistant national team coach, was also on the initial list of six contenders, and he is likely to be the third man ruled out. Claude Simonet, the president of the FFF, said: "I was impressed by their common desire, including Glenn Hoddle's idea of making the French team an all-conquering French team. But we have to eliminate two of them."

Simonet, who will announce the successor to Jacques Santini on Monday, said Hoddle's financial demands were one of the factors behind the reported decision not to consider him.

"I had a very interesting discussion with Glenn Hoddle on Wednesday," he said. "But a problem was posed in relation to his relations with the national coaching body. His salary also proved a problem."

Simonet also confirmedthat the FFF's focus had narrowed to three men. "I started with six names," he said. "Those of Jean Tigana, Laurent Blanc, René Girard, Bruno Metsu, Raymond Domenech and Glenn Hoddle. Of those, Bruno Metsu was the first to take a step back. I interviewed the five others who all brought projects which I showed to the federal council.

"In light of our discussions, it seems that the definitive choice left to the FFF president is that of three options. No more."