Why Alan Hansen left Match of the Day as popular Liverpool legend retired from TV

News of Alan Hansen being 'seriously ill' in hospital has taken the Liverpool fanbase by surprise.

A statement released by the Reds on Sunday confirmed this sad news, leaving many hoping for the best as the 68-year-old remains under medical care.

Hansen is a legendary figure in Liverpool's history after enjoying a glittering career with the Reds that spanned 13 seasons. During this period, the Scot claimed 25 major honours including eight league titles and three European Cups.

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After hanging up his boots, the iconic centre-back moved into the world of media and initially worked with Sky before moving across to the BBC.

First appearing on BBC Radio 5 Live, he soon after was featured on Match of the Day and remained a key part of the popular programme until his exit in 2014. Hansen covered a total of 16 FA Cup finals, six World Cups, five European Championships and an Olympic Games during his time with the BBC.

Explaining his decision to move on at the start of the 2013/14 Premier League season, Hansen said: “I’m retiring from Match of the Day at the end of the season. I will have been there for 22 years and will be 59, so it’s the right time for me.

"The guys at the BBC know me and I said, ‘Look, this is categorical. I’m leaving and nothing will make me change my mind’. I am contracted to do the World Cup and I will do that as it will be a good way to go out, but I have had a great run. ’I've been in football for 41 years and I’m going out right at the top, just as I did at Liverpool."

It later emerged nerves played a significant part in Hansen's exit. Discussing this topic in an interview eight years ago, he remarked: "There was no training, it was sink or swim," he said. "I was lucky to work with a master, Des Lynam.

“After 22 years I kept on telling myself I wouldn’t get so nervous, but it got worse. That was one of the reasons I left. I was getting more nervous and I’d say: ‘What are you doing?’ The BBC were terrific, I loved the people and Match of the Day but I didn’t enjoy the nerves.

“When I played I didn’t like pundits. When I was a pundit I didn’t like the other pundits because I was scared they might be better than me. Honestly, I thought they were all better than me. It was my insecurity."

Hansen's former Match of the Day colleague Gary Lineker also spoke of the nerves affecting the two-time FA Cup winner, stating: "He was incredibly nervous, which is why he quit. He got so nervous. He used to shuffle his feet on the floor. He was probably the first person that went down the more analytic route, a path now followed by so many. He was a brilliant pundit."