Legendary commentator Clive Tyldesley admits he ‘doesn’t know why’ ITV has axed him after 28 years… and insists he has ‘NO intention’ of retiring after fans react angrily online

Clive Tyldesley says he ‘don’t know why’ ITV decided to show him the door this weekend after 28 years. He added that he has “no intention” of retiring.

The popular commentator, 69, will step down abruptly after almost three decades with the broadcaster following the European Championship last 16 between hosts Germany and Denmark on Saturday.

Tyldesley, who controversially stepped down as ITV’s chief executive in 2020 in a move he said left him “angry, annoyed and bewildered”, told Mail Sport he felt he was “functioning as well as I’ve ever done”. However, he refused to attack his employers, despite a call for comment online.

“I’ve known about it for five to six weeks,” he explained. ‘ITV’s football editor called me to tell me I was going home after the last 16. I asked if there were any other options and he said ITV wouldn’t offer me a new contract and that would be it after 28 years.’

Tyldesley was adamant that he held no grudges against his bosses, despite the fact that he firmly believed he was still operating at the highest level.

Tyldesley was axed as the ITV lead in 2020 to replace Sam Matterface (right), a move he said left him “angry, annoyed and bewildered” – but now the 69-year-old will leave the channel altogether

The news was confirmed by his wife Susan, who said she was ‘so proud’ of her husband

‘ITV have been very good to me and my career and I’d like to think I’ve been good to them,’ he said. ‘It’s sad that it’s coming to an end but it’s a matter of opinion and their opinion is that this is the right thing to do. I don’t know why they think that. I’ve never really understood it but I have to accept it. I still think my work is strong enough to appeal to young and old.’

Some have called the move, which Tyldesley’s wife confirmed on social media on Thursday, ageism, but the acclaimed presenter was reluctant to share those sentiments.

“I’ll be 70 in August,” he said. “I don’t want to sound sanctimonious because we’re not saving lives, we’re just shouting names. But this is the only job I’ve ever wanted to do and that’s why I take it very seriously. Part of that is assessing and ensuring that I uphold the standards of my late mentor Reg Gutteridge.

“I think I’m still at a level where I can respond as well as I ever have. I am aware that this will not last forever. Out of personal pride and vanity I don’t want my level to drop. If and when that happens, I hope I’ll be the first to see it and react accordingly, but I think I can still do it. “I wouldn’t use the word frustration because I’m not particularly frustrated, but this wasn’t my decision.”

Tyldesley provided historical commentary on Man United’s 1999 Champions League final win

He was the voice behind Liverpool’s equally memorable comeback against AC Milan in 2005

Tyldesley said the news didn’t come as a shock. ‘They dropped me as the main commentator in 2020 but in the next breath they offered me a contract as back-up to their new main man (Sam Matterface). I wanted to keep working on big tournaments and the FA Cup so I agreed. In Qatar they told me at a hotel reception that I would be going before the semi-finals so it was different this time at least but I knew it was coming for four years.’

ITV are reportedly planning to pay tribute to Tyldesley during the match broadcast. ‘It’s a strange situation because I’m not retiring and I don’t have any intention of doing so,’ he added. ‘This is not my decision, it’s theirs. If they want to emphasise that I’ve been with them for a long time, that’s their decision too. I’m not going to object, but at the same time it’s a bit unusual if it’s their decision to let me go.’

Tyldesley will continue to commentate on the Champions League for US-based CBS and will be behind the microphone for Amazon’s round of Christmas Premier League matches. He is open to offers and has launched a podcast, The Football Authorities, with former Celtic and Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill.

“I’m fine,” he said. “I’m a happy man, a very happy man. I’ll be home before the England game on Sunday and I hope I’ll be home long before they are.”