Let’s take a look at something different today. Pundits are a quintessential part of modern football – but who is the best in the world at the moment?
We’ll be ranking pundits based on the quality of their analysis and the entertainment value they provide – it isn’t all facts and figures in the commentary booth.
Everyone has their opinions on who the best pundits in football are – as such, your choices may differ radically to ours. This is purely opinion based, so don’t take it too personally if your favourite pundit didn’t make the cut.
Sue Smith
Quiet but intelligent, Sue Smith is the crown jewel of Sky Sports’ current Soccer Saturday entourage. Paul Merson and company may provide the fun, but Smith provides the facts.
A constant presence at WSL games, Smith’s perspectives on both the men’s and women’s games are almost always spot on.
As a player, Smith spent the majority of her club career at Tranmere Rovers, though she also played for Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers and Leeds United. Internationally, Smith won 94 caps for England, scoring 16 goals.
Ian Wright
Strikers don’t often make good pundits, but Ian Wright is an exception. He isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he brings charisma and an extensive knowledge of the game to the table whenever he is called upon.
A regular fixture of ITV’s football programming, Wright has also featured on Sky Sports, TNT Sports and was a member of the Match of the Day team until 2024.
During his playing years, Wrighty was a feared centre-forward at Arsenal – not just for his ability, but also for his ruthless physicality. Thankfully, Wright is a cuddly teddy bear on screen these days – he seems to have left all the aggression from his playing days behind him.
Gary Neville
Gary Neville is perhaps the most ‘marmite’ pundit on the scene today. Many audiences actively dislike the former Manchester United captain for his outspoken opinions on both football and politics – but it cannot be denied that his footballing analysis is sublime.
A mainstay of Sky Sports football alongside Jamie Carragher, Neville is never scared to offer up his true opinion – and a lot of the time, he isn’t far off the mark. In particular, the Gary Neville podcast on YouTube provides excellent, insightful and raw takes on the current landscape.
Neville was one of football’s few ‘one-club men’, as he spent his entire 19-year career at Manchester United. He made 400 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils, winning eight Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.
Roy Keane
Roy Keane isn’t on this list for his analysis of the game – he’s certainly knowledgeable, but this isn’t why he has such a large following.
No one in football dishes out a tongue-lashing quite like Keane. When Manchester United are losing, audiences’ eyes are glued to the screen at half-time – purely so they can bear witness to yet another Keano crashout.
Have a laugh at some of Keano’s best moments with Micah Richards who he always seems to have spicy and often hilarious chats with.
Everyone knows what Keane was like during his playing days. A terrifying presence in the middle of the park, his drill sergeant-esque approach to the game has led many to brand him as one of the most intimidating footballers of all time.
Ally McCoist
Entertainment value, strong analysis and unique takes on the game – as a pundit, Ally McCoist has it all. While he usually works as a co-commentator, his punditry is always welcomed on TalkSPORT and the like.
While McCoist has no problem in delivering a strong opinion – especially when discussing Rangers – he never goes over the top. Additionally, he also knows when to use levity without veering too far into the realms of parody, which Keane is sometimes guilty of.
One of the most successful Scottish footballers of all time, Coisty won ten Scottish Premiership titles with Rangers over the course of his career.
Just for the record, on a personal note, my favourite pundit is ex Chelsea and Scottish international wideman Pat Nevin. I feel I learn something every time he speaks on football – he always offers a unique take that others would overlook.
Who is your favourite pundit you enjoy watching and listening to? Or which pundit wrecks your head? Let us know in the comments below.