This morning, ITV has confirmed that Clive Tyldesley is no longer its lead football commentator and has been replaced with Sam Matterface. Tyldesley has long been a fixture on ITV's football coverage, and after the news broke this morning, he released a video explaining that this decision was ITV's alone, and not his.
ITV have replaced me as their main football commentator... pic.twitter.com/S8UOjvwEck
— Clive Tyldesley (@CliveTyldesley) July 14, 2020
“I’m being replaced as ITV’s senior football commentator,” he said. “To be clear, this is ITV’s decision – not mine – and I am upset, annoyed, baffled. I totally respect ITV’s right to change their opinion of me, ITV have been really good for me and yes I will carry on as their No 2 commentator.
“But, let me make it quite clear – I have not stepped down, I have been moved aside. I’m just going to miss the England games so much, even more than I’ll miss the Champions League games and that is all.”
Tyldesley said he was informed of the decision a few weeks ago and it is still struggling to come to terms with the move. However, he said he will accept the demotion to ITV's #2 commentator.
ITV released a statement this morning on the decision saying:
“On behalf of ITV Sport, I would like to thank Clive for his superb work leading our commentary on some of the biggest occasions in world football throughout his outstanding career with us.
“We are very glad he will continue with us and look forward to working with him on many more occasions in the future.”
Tyldesley is probably best remembered for his commentary of the 1999 Champions League final, but he has also been witness to so many famous England defeats over the years. England crashing out of the World Cup won't be the same without him.
Tyldesley's also released a brilliant tribute to Jack Charlton on Saturday.
Lovely story here from CLive Tyldesley on Jack's greatnesspic.twitter.com/TjZBnkvPIV
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 11, 2020
