Clive Tyldesley will commentate his final match on ITV on Saturday when Germany face Denmark at Euro 2024, after 28 years with the broadcaster.
Legendary football commentator Tyldesley has been ITV’s voice for more than two decades and has covered some of the biggest games in both international and club football, including 17 Champions League finals.
Quizzed about his partnership with fellow commentator Ally McCoist, Tyldesley said: ‘I love his company, I love his company on the air, it’s nice when other people enjoy it but it’s not our decision to make.’
The news was confirmed on social media by Tyldesley’s wife, Susan, who posted: ‘My husband commentates on his last match for ITV – Denmark vs Germany – on Saturday after an incredible 28 years.
‘I am so proud of him. Clive will still have a voice on his new @globalplayer podcast The Football Authorities with Martin O’Neill.’
That post came in response to one fan who suggested her husband and McCoist should take over as chief ITV commentators but Tyldesley, 69, lost that role back in 2020 to Sam Matterface.
Speaking fours ago, when he was replaced by Matterface, Tyldesley said: ‘I’m upset, annoyed, baffled…
‘I would have been interested in commentating on the Euro 2020 final for them less than 48 hours ago but now I won’t be commentating on any of the big England games over the coming year and I’m going to miss them.
‘I love this job, and it has gone. Why? I don’t know. I do not know exactly why this decision has been taken, already I’ve got the producer of a broadcaster I am working on asking if I’ve got any health issues. No! I’ve got no health issues.
‘Asking me if it is something that I have done… no there’s nothing. I gather one or two sites are reporting that I’ve been sacked. Well, I guess I have from one job but I’ve done nothing wrong.
‘I’m the same broadcaster, the same person that I’ve always been, like me or hate me, and you’re entitled to do either. You know, like everybody else in football, I am a matter of opinion, I totally get that and I totally respect ITV’s right to change their opinion of me.
‘ITV have been really good for me and yes I’ll carry on as their No 2 commentator but let me make it quite clear, I have not stepped down, I have been moved. Moved aside. I’ve not even thought about winding down towards retirement or anything like that.
‘Now listen, there are thousands of people in this country facing up to job losses and disappointments far more serious than this, I am a lucky boy.
‘I love my work and I’ve got plenty on, so I’m not making a statement or anything like that, this is not a grave matter of state, I’m just trying to explain, just telling you that I’m really really disappointed about this, I don’t know why I’m being replaced.
‘I’m well, able and available and I’m just going to miss the England games so much, even more than I miss the Champions League games and that’s all.’