'I am upset, baffled, annoyed': Clive Tyldesley to be replaced as ITV lead commentator after two decades

Clive Tyldesley has said he is "upset, baffled" and "annoyed" at ITV's decision to replace him as their lead football commentator after over two decades in the role.

Tyledsley, who joined from the BBC in 1996, will be replaced by Sam Matterface at the start of next season, but will continue to work with the station.

Speaking in a video on Twitter immediately after the announcement, Tyldesley said it was ITV's decision and not his.

"I was told about three weeks ago, so I have had some time to get my head around the decision. But I haven't got my head around it.

"To be clear, this is ITV's decision not mine and I am upset, annoyed, baffled. I would have been entrusted with commentating the Euro 2020 final for them less than 48 hours ago.

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"But now I won't be commentating on any of the big England games in the coming year. And I'm going to miss them. I love this job  — it's gone."

Tyledsley said that he did not know why the decision had been taken for him to be replaced.

"I do not know exactly why this decision has been taken... I have got no health issues. I gather that one or two sites are reporting that I have been sacked. Well, I guess I have from one job but I have done nothing wrong.

"I'm the same broadcaster, the same person that I have always been. Like me or hate me, you are entitled to do either. Like everyone else in football I am a matter of opinion. And I totally respect ITV's right to change their opinion of me. ITV have been really good for me.

He added that he had no intention of retiring from broadcasting and that he would continue as ITV's "number two" commentator, reiterating that he had not stepped down but had "been moved aside".

"I am not making a statement or anything like that. This is not a grave matter of statement. I'm just telling you that I am really, really disappointed about this.

"I'm just going to miss the England games so much, even more than I miss the Champions League games."

Director of ITV Sport Niall Sloane said: "On behalf of ITV Sport, I would like to thank Clive for his superb work leading our commentary on some of the biggest occasions in world football throughout his outstanding career with us.

"We are very glad he will continue with us and look forward to working with him on many more occasions in the future."

The 65-year-old switched channels from the BBC in 1996 as he joined to be Brian Moore's understudy, but got the main job after the 1998 World Cup.

He has narrated some of the most memorable moments of the last 25 years, including 'that night in Barcelona' when Manchester United won the Champions League and England's run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.

Matterface, who is already part of ITV's commentary stable, will step up to the main position, also keeping his role as radio station talkSPORT's chief commentator.