Football on Irish television may never be the same again.
John Giles is to leave RTÉ after this summer’s Euro 2016 football championships.
The former Ireland captain and manager has been with the national broadcaster, as a football pundit, for over three decades and covered ever major championship, on a regular basis, stretching back to Euro 88.
In recent years, Giles has missed out on a couple of spots on the RTÉ panel for Irish qualifiers. This was seen by many as a gradual preparation for a changing of the guard.
In a statement to The Evening Herald, this morning, the 75-year-old clarified his position:
“I’ve been approached recently about my position with RTÉ after the Euros and I want to clear up any speculation. In my negotiations with RTÉ Head of Sport Ryle Nugent last year, he made it clear to me that this was to be the final year of my full-time engagement with RTÉ.
“Ryle said that this was designed to allow him to continue the requirement to plan and prepare for the future. This was perfectly understandable to me and I signed the contract which finishes after the Euro 2016 final in France in good faith.
“But I want to make it perfectly clear that I’m not retiring or even thinking about it.”
Giles, who played for Manchester United and Leeds United during a successful career, will continue his work with the Herald and Newstalk, and has not ruled out future TV work.
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