Commentator Clive Tyldesley reveals he went from 'melancholic' to 'downright angry' when ITV asked him to say he had stepped aside willingly when they dropped him from last Euros
ITV's former senior football commentator Clive Tyldesley has revealed he went from 'melancholic' after being ousted to 'downright angry' when the company wanted to pretend he was stepping aside.
Tyldesley had been given his matches for the 2020 Euros - including England's games - but when the tournament was put back a year he was told he was being replaced by Sam Matterface after 22 years as the main man.
The move sparking public controversy with many backing Tyldesley, who has covered five World Cups, 17 Champions League finals, and nine FA Cup finals.
He said: 'The Covid summer of 2020, I'd been given my fixtures for that tournament and obviously I was the senior commentator, commentating on the England games and so on.
'The tournament didn't happen that summer, but during that summer in a Zoom call, I was told that when the tournament did come around the following year, I wouldn't be the senior commentator - I wouldn't be commentating on those games.
Clive Tyldesley had been given his matches for the 2020 Euros - including England's games - but when the tournament was put back a year he was told he was being replaced by Sam Matterface after 22 years as the main man
'The decision took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting to be moved aside at that point and I walked right on to the punch and the call didn't last very long after that.
'So perhaps it was best that I was left alone to digest it at home with my wife. I remember how upset I was.
'ITV had every right to do what they did. We're all a matter of opinion, but when your manager tells you that we've found someone better for your position, your ego, your vanity, your pride, whatever, it hurts.'
Speaking to former Aston Villa and Celtic head coach Martin O'Neill on their podcast, The Football Authorities, Tyldesley added: 'A day later, ITV drew up a press statement for me to put my name to, which said I was stepping aside, and that soon changed my mood from one of being a bit melancholic and feeling sorry for myself to being downright angry
'I wasn't stepping aside, I was being pushed aside. You've every right to show me the door but don't make out I'm walking through it willingly.'
It comes as England were given an important boost for their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia as John Stones returned to training today following an illness.
The Manchester City defender had been isolating away from his compatriots throughout Wednesday to prevent his sickness spreading through the squad.
Doubts had arisen as to whether Stones would recover in time to start in the centre of defence in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, with Lewis Dunk waiting on standby.
But it seems the 30-year-old has shrugged off his bug as all 26 members of Gareth Southgate's squad were seen on the training pitches in Blankenhain.
Stones is the Three Lions' most experienced defender, and without Harry Maguire in the squad Southgate will be hoping his return to the turf spells good news for his fitness levels.
England players celebrate after going 2-0 up against Germany in the round of 16 at Euro 2020
Meanwhile, Harry Kane has revealed that Bayern Munich team-mate Thomas Muller left him a good luck note ahead of the Euros.
England's hotel for the tournament was used by their German equivalents a fortnight earlier. And Kane's fellow Bayern star Muller left him a personalised message when checking out of the base, where England have already started to win over the locals.
'Tommy left me a little note, because they were here just a couple of weeks ago,' Kane revealed.
'He said the golf course is great but the weather has not been so good! It looks fantastic, the hotel is incredible and to be in Germany is a bit of a home from home.'
Kane believes his arrival in Bavaria has seen some Germans develop a new fondness for Southgate's side.
'The reception I've had since I've been at Bayern has been incredible and since I've been in the hotel I've had some of the staff come up and say hello,' he added.
'I'm not saying they want England to win, but they have a little soft spot for us — now I'm here — and that's fantastic.'
Sam Matterface, who will be leading ITV's Euros coverage
