Rio Ferdinand has left his role as a football pundit at TNT Sports after a decade, choosing instead to concentrate on his YouTube channel and other business interests. The former Manchester United and England defender confirmed his departure in a statement on social media, marking the end of a significant chapter in his post-playing career.
Ferdinand expressed gratitude for his time at the network, which began when it was known as BT Sport before rebranding as TNT Sports. 'Since retiring from football, it has been a privilege talking about the game I love for a decade for sports fans,' he said. He acknowledged the behind-the-scenes team and stated he was 'excited about what the future holds, spending more time with my family, focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents and my other business interests.'
His final on-air appearance will be at the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich. TNT Sports has yet to announce a replacement for Ferdinand, who had become a prominent figure in their football coverage, known for his forthright opinions and occasional controversial moments.
During his tenure, Ferdinand was a regular on pre-match and post-match analysis, often alongside fellow former players and presenters such as Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist. He also interviewed Prince William before a match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain last month, joking about the prince's potential as a pundit.
