Rio Ferdinand has made a big announcement about his next career move.
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
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Manchester United’s end-of-season review is underway, and Ruben Amorim is believed to be heavily involved in shaping the direction of the club’s media and off-field strategies going forward.
The club’s boardroom has been keen to embrace former players in advisory roles, especially those with experience in broadcasting and brand-building, to bridge the gap between generations of supporters and the modern squad.
United have also shown interest in collaborating more with club legends for digital content, as part of their commercial expansion in Asia and North America.
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One name who has been central to English football coverage and whose presence is set to disappear from weekly screens is none other than Rio Ferdinand.
The Manchester United legend has confirmed that Saturday’s Champions League final in Munich will be his last appearance as a pundit for TNT Sports after a decade-long run that began with BT Sport.
Rio Ferdinand cited the need to spend more time with his family and to grow his own ventures—including his management company New Era and production brand Rio Ferdinand Presents—as reasons for stepping away from the demanding travel schedule.
Despite stepping down, he left the door open for occasional appearances and remains on good terms with the broadcaster, who are set to become the new home of the FA Cup next season.
His departure marks yet another shift in the football media landscape, following Gary Lineker’s recent exit from Match of the Day and Gareth Bale’s rise as a pundit after his Europa League final cameo.
Ferdinand expressed his gratitude in a heartfelt statement posted to social media, thanking both TNT Sports and his supporters, and promising to remain connected to the footballing world in different ways.
“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.
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“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,” Ferdinand concluded.
As one of the most respected voices in the game, Ferdinand’s decision signals the end of an era in football broadcasting, one closely watched by Manchester United fans and football lovers alike.
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