I love this job and now it’s just gone

TYLDESLEY ‘ANNOYED, BAFFLED AND UPSET’

CLIVE TYLDESLEY, the voice of the Champions League for nearly two decades, has been unceremoniously dumped as ITV’s lead football commentator in a coup that was planned more than two years ago.

Sam Matterface will take over the role and continue to work as chief commentator for talkSPORT Radio.

The 42-year-old will replace Tyldesley at ITV for England games leading up to the delayed Euro 2020 final at Wembley next May.

Matterface has been part of the ITV stable since Euro 2016 and reached wider prominence when he became the commentator for Dancing On Ice.

Tyldesley, 65, was aware his days were numbered when his last contract was negotiated with head of sport Niall Sloane in February 2018.

However, he believed he could win round the powers-that-be by making himself more relevant, with a bigger social media following and by offering advice to up-and-coming commentators.

Certainly, Tyldesley did not imagine he would lose the No1 spot without being able to sign off with a major tournament.

In a heartfelt video posted on Twitter, he revealed: “I am being replaced as ITV’s senior football commentator.

“Quite a few people have been in touch with me asking for a comment – I’m not sure that is a very good idea at the moment. I was told about three weeks ago so I have had some time to get my head around the decision... but I have not got my head around it.This is ITV’s decision and not mine... I am upset, annoyed, baffled.

“I should have been commentating on the Euro 2020 final less than 48 hours ago, but now I won’t be commentating on the big England games in the coming year and I am going to miss them. I love this job and it’s gone. Why? I’ve got no health issues. People are asking me if there’s something I’ve done – there’s nothing.”

A number of high-profile names were surprised by the announcement.

BBC presenter Gary Lineker tweeted: “One of the very best commentators our game has had. Seriously tough act to follow.”

Tyldesley, a four-time winner of the Royal Television Society Sports Commentator of the Year award, has no plans to hang up his microphone.

“I have not even thought about winding down to retirement,” he said.

Tyldesley is still contracted to ITV and talks have been held about him covering matches up to and including the 2024 European Championship.

Bookmakers immediately made him an 11-8 shot to show up next on Sky, where lead commentator Martin Tyler turns 75 in September.