Clive Tyldesley will take to the commentary mic for the final time on ITV this weekend.
Tyldesley is one of football’s most iconic voices and has worked for the broadcaster since 1996, an incredible 28 years.
He is an established fan favourite but an X post from his wife, Susan, has revealed that his spell at ITV will end on Saturday.
“My husband @CliveTyldesley commentates on his last match for ITV, Denmark vs Germany, on Saturday after an incredible 28 years with @itvfootball. I am so proud of him,” she said.
Tyldesley, who worked as a commentator for talkSPORT, has formed a popular relationship alongside talkSPORT’s Ally McCoist during his career.
He appeared to hint at an exit when speaking to The Athletic about their relationship: “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.”
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he also said: “I’ve known for five to six weeks. 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.”
He added: “ITV has been very good for me and my career and I’d like to think I have been good for them. 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.”
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It therefore appears that the Euro 2024 clash between Denmark and Germany will be the final time the duo commentate together.
After his career kickstarted on the radio with Radio Trent and Radio City, Tyldesley’s first football commentary for ITV actually came in 1989.
He covered Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Manchester City before he went on to commentate for Screensport at the 1991 Copa America and 1992 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tyldesley then joined the BBC from 1992 to 1996, where he worked as a commentator at the 1994 World Cup, 1995 Women’s World Cup and Euro 1996.
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The now 69-year-old then returned to ITV and emerged as one of their leading commentators.
From 1998 to 2015, Tyldesley commentated on every single Champions League final, and he was their lead commentator at the World Cup from 2002 to 2018 and Euros from 2000 to 2016.
Tyldesley also offered his expertise on talkSPORT before leaving in 2023 and has worked on Premier League coverage for Amazon Prime Video.
He will bow out from ITV this weekend though, with the broadcaster set to bid farewell to one of the best in the business.
