Hoddle makes his pal No 2

Glenn Hoddle has made his first selection as England manager, recruiting his former assistant at Swindon, John Gorman, to the same role with England. The appointment will be confirmed next week.

Gorman, who took over from Hoddle when he left Swindon for Chelsea but was sacked when they went straight down to the First Division, is a long- time friend of Hoddle's - their families holiday together and he and Hoddle used to drive to training together when the pair played at Spurs.

Bristol City, where Gorman is at present the No 2 to Joe Jordan, confirmed yesterday that negotiations had been held and Jordan has given his approval for the move. The FA will have to buy Gorman, 47, out of the one year remaining on his contract at Ashton Gate.

The Bristol City chairman, Scott Davidson, confirmed this week's talks with the FA chief executive Graham Kelly. "There have been discussions and we certainly don't want to stand in John's way," Davidson said, "even though he is still under contract."

The Scot, who is on a week's holiday in Tenerife, is thought to have negotiated a four-year deal with the FA.

Hoddle's successor at Stamford Bridge, Ruud Gullit, has already approached top European players to come to Stamford Bridge, according to the Chelsea chairman, Ken Bates. "We finished our negotiations after 45 minutes with Ruud and 10 minutes later he went straight from the boardroom to the terraces - the only place where he can get privacy - with his mobile phone and was talking to Europe, to players he wants to bring to Chelsea."

Gullit has already been linked with a deal to bring Juventus's Gianluca Vialli to Chelsea but Bates would not reveal who the latest targets will be. "We don't do our negotiations like that," he said.

Eric Cantona has confirmed that he will not leave England and would like to continue in football here in some form when his playing career is over. "Maybe I will be a manager, maybe something else," Cantona told BBC Grandstand. "I will stay here in England for my children, who are now at school here and have their friends. They are happy and so am I, so we will stay."

In his first big television interview Cantona warned Manchester United's youngsters that the hardest work was ahead of them. "Next season is the most important for them because there is a danger that they might say, 'Oh, we have won the title that's it then', and next year is a big test for them mentally."

Cantona also revealed that he would not be too upset to be left out of France's squad for Euro 96. "If I play I will be happy, if not I will have a holiday and be fit for next season. But the players who don't play will have an advantage next season in the Champions' League over those who do, who will be very tired. For Manchester United the Champions' League is the most important, because people can just forget you if you just win at home."