Clive Tyldesley reveals he was snubbed by four broadcasters including Sky Sports and TNT Sports before landing new job
CLIVE TYLDESLEY revealed he was turned down by four broadcasters before landing a new job.
Tyldesley’s 28 years with ITV came to an end during the Euro 2024.
In 2020, he was replaced by Sam Matterface as ITV’s main commentator and instead took the No2 role.
But he was informed by ITV’s football editor that his contract would not be renewed past the last 16 stage of the Euros.
Now, Tyldesley revealed on his podcast with ex-Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill that he has signed with US network CBS after a series of snubs.
He said: “All I can do is keeping reviewing my own standards, keep making myself available.
“If someone like CBS – who have given me a four-year contract to cover Champions League for the USA – show that sort of confidence in me then I can only assure you I will repay that faith by working bloody hard and trying to be as good as I can be.”
Tyldesley, 69, revealed he offered himself up to Sky when Martin Tyler left his role as well as making contact with TNT Sports and Channel 4.
He said: “I don’t have an agent, as such, I feel as if I’ve actually got better contacts than a lot of agents have.
“When Martin was moved aside by Sky, they knew of my position, they decided to take on Peter Drury and I totally respect how popular he is, probably more popular than I am.
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“But Peter then left Premier League Productions in order to take on that role and another one in the USA.
“I made Premier League Productions aware of my availability for the last four or five years.
“They’ve got a dozen or so commentators contracted, they think they are all better than I am.
“TNT, when they took over the BT Sport contract, I contacted them and said I was available, they took on Adam Summerton because they thought he was better than I was.
“Channel 4 when they took over the England contract – which they’re now losing back to ITV – I contacted them and said I was available and they took on Steve Bower – who I think is a particularly good commentator.
“But what I’m saying is, they’re aware but if you’re shouting from the rooftops because you think I should be doing any of these jobs, believe me I have put myself up for them.
“It’s fine, I’ve been a lucky boy in my career. If I never commentate on another football match, I’ve been a lucky boy.
“It’s not a tragedy but in answer to the question I keep getting asked, ‘Why have ITV done this?’
“I don’t know the answer, you’d have to ask the heads of sport.”