RAY Harford, pictured right, today wished Glenn Hoddle the best of luck in his new role as England coach.

But then the Blackburn Rovers boss, still holding onto a slim chance of a place in Europe, admitted he wished the appointment could have been made next week.

For Hoddle's Chelsea career will end on Sunday just where it began three seasons ago, with a game against Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge.

And, the way things have worked out, it will now be an up-tempo occasion, as Chelsea fans say goodbye to their popular boss.

"That really is just what we didn't want," said Harford.

"We could have done with it being just an end-of-season game for Chelsea.

"But now, all of a sudden, it has become a high-profile occasion.

"The game won't change. That will be just as difficult as we expected. But the atmosphere is going to be different and the fact that it is his last match in charge will get the crowd going.

"It's very important for us, because there is still a possibility of finishing fifth.

"The odds are against us, but we do have a chance and the players deserve tremendous credit for that.

"They have done really well in the circumstances and with all the problems we have had with injuries."

Chelsea want Hoddle to finish off the season and he says: "I would like to think there is no problem with that.

"I'll be in at training, looking forward to preparing the side for Sunday when I'll have a special message for the fans."

The decision to quit after three years was, he said, "heart-rending", adding: "Chelsea did everything right, they offered me a super contract to stay.

"But when you are asked to do what is now the coaching job at international level, it is a privilege and an honour and one I've had a burning ambition to achieve from a very young age. "What I did at Chelsea over the last three years I feel is a nice foundation. The only job I would have left Chelsea for was the national job, and that goes for any club in Britain or Europe."

Hoddle won't need reminding that, on his Chelsea bow as player-manager, in August 1993, Rovers won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Now he leaves desperate for a farewell victory but with Rovers needing the points even more to keep their outside chance of a UEFA Cup place alive.

As for Hoddle's new role as England supremo, Harford said: "I don't really know Glenn very well, so it's difficult to give an opinion on how he might do.

"But everyone in the game will hope he does well and I would like to wish him the very best of luck.

"It's a very difficult job, so different from club management.

"You can't seem to win, with people demanding you pick whoever is flavour of the month at any one time.

"But you have to be strong and choose the players you think are right."

Chelsea players and staff face an uncertain short-term future in the aftermath of Hoddle's appointment.

Coach Eddie Niedzwiecki, Hoddle's assistant Peter Shreeves and youth coach Graham Rix will all be names put forward for the Chelsea hotseat - but Ruud Gullit is the fans' favourite to become player-manager.

Niedzwiecki added: "It's all speculation for now. We don't even know for certain yet whether Glenn will be in charge on Sunday.

"We expect he will, but things have been moving at 100mph for him in the last few days." Rovers have Chris Coleman available again, but Mike Newell is struggling with hamstring problems.

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