Rio Ferdinand is hanging up his punditry boots as he prepares to leave his role with TNT Sports - to the delight of football fans.
The outspoken Manchester United icon has confirmed that Saturday's Champions League final in Munich will be his last appearance after a decade-long stint with the broadcaster. According to Ferdinand, it's an amicable parting, with the decision being entirely his own, as he's eager to devote more time to his family, having spent years traversing the country to cover Premier League matches for BT Sport and, more recently, TNT Sports.
Sources suggest that Ferdinand and TNT Sports are parting on excellent terms, leaving the door open for potential future collaborations. With TNT Sports set to acquire FA Cup rights next season, it's possible that Ferdinand could return as a special guest in the future.
As a household name, Ferdinand's departure will undoubtedly be felt by TNT Sports, but fans online were overjoyed. One fan said: "My worn mute button thanks you for this decision Rio." Another commented: "And the football enjoying British public jumped for joy."
A third said: "Thank god, might actually be worth paying for TNT now." A fourth commented: "If you make it a double & include Robbie Savage in there also then TNT have had a blinder already?" A fifth added: "I think I can speak for everyone when I say this is the best news for the summer of 2025."
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand is an ever-present voice on football coverage in the UK (Image: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
A sixth said: "Thank god, he's the worst pundit by a mile. Can finally start watching TNT again." Meanwhile, another fan begged: "Please get some proper knowledgeable European football experts on. We don’t want cheerleaders, we want serious people who know what they are talking about and can teach us things about the continent. You eventually got rid of this clown, don’t f*** it up!"
The broadcaster may look to recruit a new personality to fill the void, having already enjoyed success with former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale's contributions during the Europa League final, reports the Mirror.
Ferdinand announced his decision on social media, stating: "I have made the difficult decision to step away from TNT sports after the Champions league final. Since retiring from football it has been a privilege talking about the game I love for a decade for sports fans watching on BT Sport and TNT Sports.
Rio Ferdinand celebrated while commentating
Rio Ferdinand is known for his partisan support of Manchester United on TNT broadcasts (Image: TNT Sports)
Ferdinand announced his decision on social media, stating: "I have made the difficult decision to step away from TNT sports after the Champions league final. Since retiring from football it has been a privilege talking about the game I love for a decade for sports fans watching on BT Sport and TNT Sports.
"I want to acknowledge the tremendous support from the team behind the scenes whose hard work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success. To everyone at TNT Sports, we have a brilliant end to the season to look forward to on Saturday and for now all focus will be on what I think could go down as one of the great European finals.
"The network continues to thrive with more rights than ever. I know I look forward to following its progress and the exciting future that lies ahead.
"Lastly I would like to thank my family and my management company New Era for their ongoing support. They have supported me to travel all over Europe following the best players and watching the best matches.
"For a football fan like me it's been a dream come true as I turn the page to the next chapter I carry with me countless memories. I'm excited about what the future holds, spending more time with my family focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents and my other business interests. I hope to stay connected with all of you in different capacities. Thank you once again for everything."
This development comes hot on the heels of Gary Lineker's final Match of the Day appearance on Sunday, marking a period of significant change in the world of football broadcasting.