Jamie Carragher pays emotional tribute to ‘one of the all-time legends’ Martin Tyler as veteran commentator departs Sky Sports after 33 years
- Carragher has been Tyler’s colleague since the 2013/14 Premier League season
- Tyler stepped down Saturday morning after more than 30 years
- The news comes against the backdrop of massive layoffs at the broadcaster to cut costs
Jamie Carragher paid an emotional tribute to Martin Tyler after it was revealed that the legendary commentator was stepping down from his role at Sky Sports after 33 years.
Saturday morning’s announcement saw Tyler spend time on his job at the broadcaster ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Throughout his revered career with Sky, Tyler’s voice has become synonymous with the English top flight, with some of his iconic lines often quoted by Premier League supporters.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed on Friday that Sky Sports had suspended half their football reporting team in a brutal cost-cutting exercise, asking veteran interviewer Geoff Shreeves for a significant pay cut.
Carragher, who has worked for the broadcaster as a pundit and co-commentator since the 2013-2014 campaign, was the first of several bold names to congratulate Tyler on a storied career.
Jamie Carragher paid an emotional tribute to his colleague Martin Tyler on Twitter on Saturday
The legendary commentator announced that he is stepping down from a role he has held for 33 years
The former Liverpool star wrote on Twitter: ‘I listened to Martin Tyler’s commentary on Everton’s best-ever game against Bayern Munich.
‘In 1985 he commented on my full debut and first goal for Liverpool as an 18-year-old (sic) in 1997.
“I then had the privilege of working with him for 10 years, culminating in a last-minute Origi derby winner! Martin is one of the all-time legends of the commentary box. Aguerooooo is one of the most iconic commentary lines in the history of the game!’
Tyler’s ecstatic call of Sergio Agüero’s title-winning goal for Manchester City against Queens Park Rangers in 2012 – ‘I swear you’ll never see anything like it again! So pay attention – drink it up!’ – is one of the most memorable lines of commentary of the 21st century.
Carragher and Tyler have worked together on a number of occasions and enjoy a light-hearted relationship over the air.
In February, Tyler told his co-commentator to “behave” when Carragher lashed out at Manchester United and referees, playfully putting his colleague in his place.
In a statement shared in the wake of his announced departure, Tyler said: “In my humble opinion, the huge company that Sky is today has grown out of Sky Sports’ innovative and inspired coverage of the Premier League. It has been a privilege to play a small part in the broadcasting history of the biggest league in the world.
Carragher’s tweet referenced key moments Tyler had soundtracked in his life
“I’ve worked with legions of great professionals in all aspects of the television industry along the way. I thank them all for their support and expertise. It was an honor to be part of a very gifted team.”
Sky Sports director of football Gary Hughes thanked Tyler for “his unparalleled contribution and dedication” during his tenure at the broadcaster.
Sky Sports’ voices will sound dramatically different during the upcoming campaign, after Jeff Stelling broadcast his last edition of Soccer Saturday on the last day of the season.
Stelling had also worked for broadcasting for more than 30 years and had previously announced that he would stop in October 2022.