Football pundits are supposed to be experts. More often than not, though, they are just a motley collection of former footballers stealing a living. The coverage of Euro 2024 has proven just that.
If it’s not mumbling Rio Ferdinand tripping over his words, it’s dreary Alan Shearer with the repeated ‘England need more quality’ soundbite – or the proselytising Gary Lineker who appears to think that anyone who disagrees with him may be part of some conspiracy.
Daft punditry is nothing new
Then there’s Micah Richards, the class clown who can’t let anyone else speak for five seconds without butting in. He is a regular on the BBC, Sky Sports, CBS, Sky’s football panel show A League of Their Own and Lineker’s podcast The Rest is Football. But why?
The commentary teams at Euro 2024 have been dire too. ITV’s best commentator, Clive Tyldesley, has been pushed aside in favour of stat-obsessed Sam Matterface and his double act partner Lee Dixon.
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