MARTIN TYLER has revealed that he was “stepped down” by Sky Sports.
The veteran commentator, 78, left the broadcaster after 33 years at the end of last season.
He has not hung up his mic, however, and has continued working on games for overseas networks this season.
Ahead of working on Arsenal’s clash with Brighton this afternoon, Tyler joined talkSPORT for a catch-up.
Chatting to SunSport’s Shaun Custis, Tyler was at pains to make it clear that he had not left Sky of his own accord.
He said: “I didn’t step down, I was stepped down.
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“I haven’t retired. I’m very grateful to some channels who have decided that I’ve still got something to contribute.”
Tyler then stressed: “Please don’t think there’s any bitterness about Sky at all, they gave me a wonderful run.
“I’ve got many friends there, I’ll be watching in the press room at the Emirates after the Arsenal-Brighton game, the coverage of Liverpool vs Manchester United and it’ll bring back a lot of personal memories.
“I wish everybody well.”
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During his time with the broadcaster he provided commentary for some of the most iconic moments in Premier League history.
From Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp title winner in 2012 to Stan Collymore “closing in” for Liverpool against Newcastle in 1996, Tyler’s best calls have gone down in Premier League folklore.
Following Tyler’s departure, Sky moved to sign Peter Drury as his replacement.
Drury, 56, has been commentating on one game a week for Sky, often the premium match of the weekend.
He also covers the Premier League for NBC Sports, while he can be found on various feeds around the world.
Tyler made his return to UK tellies earlier this week, commentating on Porto’s win over Shakhtar for Discovery Plus.
In addition to his commentary work, Tyler coaches at non-league side Dartford.
He previously worked with manager Alan Dowson at Woking and Kingstonian, and linked up again with him at Dartford last year.
On his coaching, Tyler added: “I’ve done it for 20 years with Alan Dowson.
“Dowse is my mate and he’s taken me along, I look after his back a little bit.
“I make them run, that’s one of the things I learned from the Premier League training sessions I am privileged to visit and we work on the fitness side.
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“It’s fun, but we lost 4-0 yesterday and it’s not fun.”
He then added: “I might be an old git in terms of birth certificate but I’ve got a young heart.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
