But just as he was getting ready to take the next step with the Blues, England came calling. And Hoddle couldn't deny the call of his country, so would leave Chelsea.
It was the summer of Euro '96 and Chelsea found themselves at those fabled crossroads once more. Where was the club headed - with George Graham as manager? Or with another exciting young talent in the dugout in the form of Ruud Gullit?
Whatever decision Chelsea would make, the club's journey would fork in dramatically different directions. Fortunately, they chose right and major silverware was waiting just around the corner after a 26-year wait.
Although it would all play out to the backdrop of tragedy.
In this episode you will hear from: Roberto Di Matteo, Eddie Newton, Ruud Gullit, Jesper Gronkjaer, Colin Hutchinson, Ken Bates, Glenn Hoddle, Steve Clarke, David Lee, Scott Minto, David Cooper (Matthew Harding's lawyer), Mike Ingham (commentator), Martin Tyler (commentator), Mark Killick (Matthew Harding's best friend), Tim Rolls (author and Chelsea fan), Joel Harding, Luke Harding and former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
The Blueprint is written by Garry Hayes and narrated by Ceri Levy.
***
Our theme music "Blue Day '23" is composed by Mike Connaris with bed arrangements by Jake Bradford-Sharp. It's used under license from Mcasso Music.
Archive used in this episode is courtesy of Chelsea TV.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.