Commentator Clive Tyldesley has revealed his new role after revealing he had been turned down by four different broadcasters in recent years.
The 69-year-old commentated on his final match for ITV during their Euro 2024 last-16 tie between Germany and Denmark on Saturday, which the tournament hosts won 2-0.
Tyldesley had worked for the broadcaster for 28 years before being axed, having already been replaced by Sam Matterface as their lead commentator in 2020.
He previously revealed to Mail Sport that he ‘doesn’t know why’ he has been asked to step down, with several fans also hitting out at the decision to remove the popular commentator.
Tyldesley revealed on his new podcast ‘The Football Authorities’ with Martin O’Neill that he has signed a four-year contract to commentate on the Champions League with American broadcaster CBS.
Clive Tyldesley commentated on his final match for ITV after 28 years with the broadcaster
Tyldesley was stood down as ITV’s lead in place of Sam Matterface (right) in 2020 in a move he said left him ‘upset, annoyed and baffled’ – but now the 69-year-old will fully leave the channel
‘All I can do is keeping reviewing my own standards, keep making myself available,’ Tyldesley said.
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‘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 added that he had made other broadcasters aware of his availability over the past four years, after becoming ITV’s No 2 commentator.
He admitted his disappointment after being snubbed by broadcasters, who instead turned to other commentators.
‘I don’t have an agent, as such, I feel as if I’ve actually got better contacts than a lot of agents have,’ Tyldesley said.
‘When Martin [Tyler] 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.
‘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.
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‘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.’