- Germany vs Denmark will be Tyldesley’s final game commentating for ITV
- His wife Susan confirmed the news, as his 28-year run with ITV comes to an end
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Clive Tyldesley will commentate his final game for ITV this Saturday – ending a legendary 28 year-run with the broadcaster.
His wife Susan confirmed the news on social media on Thursday, meaning that Germany’s clash with Denmark will be his last match in the commentary booth for the channel.
Tyldesley has continued to work with ITV, despite his disappointment at losing his role as their lead commentator back in 2020.
It will be an early exit for Tyldesley from the competition, as he will leave despite ITV showing a further eight games including the final on July 14.
Addressing his upcoming departure and his partnership with long-time co-commentator Ally McCoist, he told the Athletic: ‘I love his company, I love his company on the air, it’s nice when other people enjoy it but it’s not our decision to make.’
His wife Susan in her tweet confirming the news, said: ;My husband commentates on his last match for ITV – Denmark vs Germany – on Saturday after an incredible 28 years.
‘I am so proud of him. Clive will still have a voice on his new @globalplayer podcast The Football Authorities with Martin O’Neill.’
Her post was in response to a fan tweet suggesting that Tyldesley and McCoist should take over as chief commentators for England matches on ITV.
Tyldesley, 69, lost that role in 2020 when he was replaced by Sam Matterface.
At the time of that announcement, he claimed he was ‘upset, annoyed and baffled’ by the decision from ITV.
Tyldesley’s voice has provided the backdrop to historic matches over more than two decades at major international tournaments and the biggest games in club football, including 17 Champions League finals.
He said after the news in 2020: ‘I’m upset, annoyed, baffled… I would have been interested in commentating on the Euro 2020 final for them less than 48 hours ago but now I won’t be commentating on any of the big England games over the coming year and I’m going to miss them.
‘I love this job, and it has gone. Why? I don’t know. I do not know exactly why this decision has been taken, already I’ve got the producer of a broadcaster I am working on asking if I’ve got any health issues. No! I’ve got no health issues.
‘Asking me if it is something that I have done… no there’s nothing. I gather one or two sites are reporting that I’ve been sacked. Well, I guess I have from one job but I’ve done nothing wrong.
‘I’m the same broadcaster, the same person that I’ve always been, like me or hate me, and you’re entitled to do either. You know, like everybody else in football, I am a matter of opinion, I totally get that and I totally respect ITV’s right to change their opinion of me.
‘ITV have been really good for me and yes I’ll carry on as their No 2 commentator but let me make it quite clear, I have not stepped down, I have been moved. Moved aside. I’ve not even thought about winding down towards retirement or anything like that.
‘Now listen, there are thousands of people in this country facing up to job losses and disappointments far more serious than this, I am a lucky boy. I love my work and I’ve got plenty on, so I’m not making a statement or anything like that, this is not a grave matter of state, I’m just trying to explain, just telling you that I’m really really disappointed about this, I don’t know why I’m being replaced, I’m well, able and available and I’m just going to miss the England games so much, even more than I miss the Champions League games and that’s all.’
Tyldesley left at the same stage of the World Cup in 2022, after he was also overlooked by ITV for a quarter-final commentary slot.
The World Cup in Qatar was the eighth that he has covered during his career, and he tweeted that it was the first time he would be going home before England – who were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals.
Tyldsley was the voice of some of football’s most historic moments.
Famously capturing the moment Manchester United won the European Cup against Bayern Munich in 1999, saying: ‘Beckham… into Sheringham… and Solskjaer has won it! Manchester United have reached the promised land, Ole Solskjaer, and the two substitutes have scored the two goals in stoppage time and the Treble looms large!’
Tyldesley claimed ‘Miracles are possible’ after Liverpool came from 3-0 down against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, before they went on to win on penalties.
Fans have reacted with disappointment at the news of his ITV departure.
One football fan commented: ‘A real shame. He is of a higher calibre than his contemporaries.
Another said: ‘Clive Tyldesley for me is the voice of football. Always remember the Champions League nights on Tuesday and Wednesday on ITV.’
It was revealed one month ago that Tyldesley and former Aston Villa and Celtic boss O’Neill would start a new podcast, where they review the week’s action and tackle the wider issues in the sport. The weekly podcast launched on June 3.