Micah Richards has revealed his intention to step away from football punditry by the time he turns 46, with the 2034 World Cup marking his final appearance on mainstream media. The former Manchester City, Fiorentina, Aston Villa and England defender announced in July that he wants to dedicate his time to community projects in his hometown of Chapeltown, Leeds.
A Career in Broadcasting
Since retiring from football in 2019, Richards has become one of the most recognisable faces in football broadcasting. Known for his infectious enthusiasm on screen and relentless work ethic, he is a regular pundit on Sky Sports, BBC's Match of the Day and CBS Sports Golazo.
However, the 36-year-old unexpectedly disclosed his intention to retire by 2034 earlier this summer.
Plans for the Future
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Richards elaborated on his plans. He said: "I'll be out of all this by the time I turn 46. You won't see me on any mainstream media beyond the 2034 World Cup. That will be the last time I am on the BBC or Sky or CBS. I've told them all this and they think I'm joking. I'm not."
He added: "I've given so much of my life to football since leaving school at 14. But when the time comes, I want to make a difference to people's lives at a grassroots level – to help those who need it most, especially young people.
"I come from Chapeltown in Leeds. It's an area where there is so much talent, but a shortage of opportunity. I want to give something back. That's my aim. I've no idea what form that will take, yet. There's plenty of time to work that out.
"You see a lot of ex-footballers putting their names to foundations, which is great, but I want to do something more than giving money to charity or showing my face at an event once a year. Hopefully I can keep doing what I am doing for the next seven years – and just make sure I don't get cancelled before then!"
Roy Keane's Exit Plans
Richards might not be the first among his Sky Sports colleagues to hang up his boots, though. Fellow pundit Roy Keane, a firm favourite with audiences for his forthright and occasionally scathing analysis, appears poised to reach the exit door first.
The Manchester United legend disclosed in August 2024 that he harboured no plans to continue in punditry for another decade. During a stint on the Stick to Football podcast to commemorate his 53rd birthday, Gary Neville questioned Keane about his future plans when he turns 63.
"Hopefully, I'll be out of this rat race in about 12 months," Keane said with a smile. "A nice house somewhere, a bit of land, a few animals."
Jamie Carragher then posed the question to the Irishman about whether he pictured himself still operating as a football pundit in ten years' time, a notion Keane emphatically rejected. He said: "Absolutely not. Jesus Christ, you must be joking. I'll struggle for the next 10 months doing this."
