Clive Tyldesley kept things as professional as ever with his final words on the microphone after covering his final game for ITV. The veteran commentator is leaving the broadcaster after 28 years on their books, having been informed before the start of Euro 2024 that his contract would not be renewed.
The 69-year-old joined forces with Ally McCoist for one last time to run the rule over Germany’s win over Denmark. Goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala saw the hosts progress to the quarter-finals, where they will face either Spain or Georgia for a place in the last four.
Speaking after the full-time whistle, Tyldesley kept it utterly professional as he used his last words on ITV to talk up Germany’s hopes of winning the Euros on home soil.
He said: “Any discussion of this year’s European champions has got to involve Germany. They are a part of this and they will head to a quarter-final against maybe Spain, or who knows, Georgia. On the back of this, final score in Dortmund, Germany two, Denmark nil.”
ITV host Mark Pougatch was quick to thank Tyldesley for his many years of dedicated service with a classy farewell message, saying: “Clive, thank you very much indeed. What a way to go out. We will see you very soon and thank you from all of us.”
Tyldesley has covered 14 major tournaments for ITV since beginning a second stint with them as Brian Moore’s replacement in 1996. He was replaced as their lead commentator before the World Cup in 2022, with Sam Matterface stepping into that role.
The broadcasting legend has continued to offer live commentary for ITV since then but was informed before the Euros that he would not be kept on beyond the quarter-finals of the tournament.
In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Tyldesley revealed he could not understand why he was being dropped by ITV and insisted that he had ‘no intention’ of hanging up his microphone for good.
‘I’ve known for five to six weeks,” he explained. “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.
“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.”
