MICAH RICHARDS has revealed how the “worst decision” of his life is the reason he now “works for every f***ing broadcaster”.
The much-loved pundit is now a regular face on television after a successful switch from the pitch to the big screen.
The 34-year-old former England international rose through the ranks at Manchester City and helped the club to win the Premier League title and the FA Cup.
Following a season on loan in Italy at Fiorentina, he then moved to Aston Villa in 2015 after snubbing a whopping £100,000-a-week extension at the Etihad.
He rejected the contract after struggling to get regular action with the Cityzens – but he was left to rue his decision as he was earning just a quarter of that two years later at Villa after their relegation to the Championship.
Making the admission to a shell-shocked Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on the Match of the Day: Top 10 podcast, the Sky Sports and BBC pundit said: “You had to have so much English players for the quota. So Man City offered by £100,000-a-week, five-and-a-half year deal. And I said no.”
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
Lineker rose to his feet in astonishment as Richards continued: “I said no because…”
Lineker interrupted with: “You did what?”
Richards replied: “Yeah exactly. Because I was number two behind [Pablo] Zabaleta. So I’m not all about the money.”
Lineker then asked whether Richards had recovered from the decision, to which the ex-City man said: “Why do you think I work for every f***ing broadcaster?
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“The worst decision I ever f***ing made!”
As that was met by howls of laughter from Lineker and Shearer, Richards added: “I went to Aston Villa, that was less money.
“But then we got relegated in the first season, so my wages halved. So I’ve gone from a £100,000-a-week offer to like £25,000 in the Championship.”
The chuckling Lineker then noted that the salary was still generous before he added: “No wonder you can’t stand Pablo Zabaleta.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
