Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand wants to see Glenn Hoddle given the England U21 job.

The Spurs legend has distanced himself from the post in recent days.

But Ferdinand told The Sun: "The England team hasn't been going in the right direction since Glenn Hoddle was manager.

"There is no question he was the best and I'd love to see him back again in some way. He has to be given an influence at the FA because he knows what coaching is all about.

"If you look at the French, the Germans, the Dutch and the Spanish, their youngsters don't need to be told what to do tactically.

"They can fit in immediately because all their age groups play the same way.

"You could put a 15-year-old into their senior teams and, though he might not have the strength, he would know the system.

"The whole structure in England needs to change. If your coaching systems aren't right how can you prosper?"