JOHN Gorman admits Glenn Hoddle's decision to quit Saints for Spurs six years ago was "a rush decision".

Speaking exclusively to the Pink this weekend, Saints' new chief scout admits the whole episode could have been better handled.

"It had looked very promising, especially getting to about sixth or seventh in the league and Europe was beckoning," he recalled.

"If you look back now it was probably a rush decision for us to go because it was Tottenham, it was a draw for Glenn.

"We were very happy at Southampton - the club was going places, the new ground, it was exciting and we missed out on that.

"Obviously Glenn felt in his heart about going to Tottenham. I had been an ex-player as well and it was understandable".

Although Gorman was Hoddle's assistant, he says it was wrong of former chairman Rupert Lowe to have assumed he would automatically follow him to White Hart Lane.

Had Gorman - and not coach Stuart Gray - been offered the manager's job, he may very well have stayed.

"What I would say to the fans is that I wasn't asked to stay," he says. "I stayed at Swindon when Glenn went to Chelsea but for some reason they took it for granted that I was going to go with Glenn.

"I'm my own man.

"Glenn went to Wolves and I stayed at Wycombe because I'm a loyal person.

"If a club say I want you to be the manager' I'll stay with them.

"The hardest thing now is that if Glenn did get back into football I've already committed to Southampton again".

Don't miss Gorman's exclusive interview in the Pink - on sale this morning!