Clive Tyldesley 'doesn't know why' ITV are axing him as he gives emotional interview

Clive Tyldesley will depart from ITV on Saturday (Image: Getty)

Iconic football commentator Clive Tyldesley has opened up about his departure from ITV after an astonishing 28-year stint, confessing his confusion over the broadcaster's decision to let him go.

Tyldesley, aged 69, is set to deliver his final commentary for ITV this Saturday during the Euro 2024 round-of-16 match between Germany and Denmark in Dortmund. He will be accompanied by Ally McCoist, the former Scotland forward, with the pair becoming a fan-favourite line-up throughout recent international competitions.

Tyldesley was demoted from his position as ITV's lead football commentator in 2020 following 22 years in the role, with Sam Matterface instead covering major fixtures such as England games, European Championship and World Cup finals. The move left him feeling 'upset, annoyed and baffled'.

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Despite the latest blow of now being dropped by ITV altogether, Tyldesley insists that retirement is not on the cards.

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"I've known for five to six weeks," Tyldesley revealed to the Daily Mail. "The ITV football editor phoned me to tell me I would be going home after the last 16. I asked if there would be any other opportunities and he said that ITV would not be offering me another contract and so that will be it after 28 years."

Despite an era coming to an end at ITV, Tyldesley expressed no bitterness towards his soon-to-be ex-employers, instead reflecting positively on his time with the network. "ITV has been very good for me and my career and I'd like to think I have been good for them," he added.

"It's a shame it's coming to an end but it's a matter of opinion and their opinion is that this is the right call. I don't know why they think that. I've never fully understood but I have to accept it. I still think my work is strong enough to resonate with old and young."

Tyldesley, whose wife Susan confirmed his exit on Thursday, added: "It's a strange situation because I am not retiring and have no intention of doing so. This is not my decision - it's theirs. If they want to highlight the fact that I have been with them a long time that's also their decision. I not going to object to it but at same time it's a little unusual when it's their decision to move me on."

When club football is back on TV, Tyldesley will continue commentating on Champions League games for US-based broadcaster CBS Sports. He'll also still pick up the microphone for Amazon during their coverage of the festive Premier League fixtures.

Tyldesley, who took over from commentary icon Brian Moore on ITV in 1998, is open to offers from elsewhere and he recently started up a podcast - The Football Authorities - with ex-Celtic and Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill.

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