JAMIE CARRAGHER has revealed he almost missed out on the job at CBS Sports because of his accent.
The Liverpudlian has become a mainstay on the panel covering the Champions League alongside Thierry Henry, Micah Richards and host Kate Abdo.
But the American broadcaster held reservations about Carragher as they were concerned viewers would not be able to understand him.
So executives at CBS Sports played a video of the pundit for their wives, which ultimately led to Carragher getting the job.
Carragher recalled the story, telling The Guardian: “He was worried whether or not the audience would understand me.
“Would you believe these three executives played a video of me to all their wives and it was basically down to them to decide if they could understand me.
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“Two of them did, one was not sure. So I just got the votes.”
Carragher, 46, has won several plaudits for his carefree approach to punditry on CBS Sports, which included him interviewing Jadon Sancho after drinking several beers after watching Borussia Dortmund.
He has even hinted at becoming a roving reporter for the latter stages of the Champions League next season, suggesting it could be a spin off show after joking he had no complaints about his Sancho interview.
However he did spark controversy in March after questioning Abdo’s loyalty to her fiancee Malik.
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Carra’s CBS Sport controversy
Jamie Carragher got himself into hot water in March after aiming a bizarre remark at colleague Kate Abdo live on CBS Sport.
The pundit wore an Arsenal shirt at the end of the Gunners’ home leg against Bayern Munich and told Abdo she would have to wear it next.
She rejected the offer, stating she is loyal.
When the former Liverpool star asked to who, she said: “To Manchester United thank you very much.”
Carragher’s next sentence caused stunned silence from the his co-stars as he joked: “Not to Malik.”
After a brief pause, Abdo responded: “What, why would you even say that?”
The next day Abdo reflected on the incident and dealt with it brilliantly, putting Carragher in his place.
She said: “This group, we have been together for three-and-a-half years, I grew up with a brother and I feel like I have gained three more here.
“Thierry Henry, of course, the golden child. He could do no wrong, always says the right thing, sets the example for the rest of us.
“Intimidating? Yes, he can be, but he is the big brother we all look up to.
“Then there is the middle child, Jamie Carragher, a chip on his shoulder, capable of saying anything for attention.
“Does he go too far sometimes? Absolutely. But does he apologise? Yes he does.
“But we all have that one annoying family member that we still love and accept.”
Abdo later mocked Carragher over the incident, saying he has a “chip on his shoulder”.
The pair often exchange banter with Carragher suggesting Abdo’s only job is to read the prompter.
BBC and ITV’s Euro 2024 line up in full
Here’s how each channel will line-up:
BBC presenters:
Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman
ITV presenters:
Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods
BBC pundits:
Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFadden
ITV pundits:
Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina Unkel
BBC commentators:
Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan Pearce
ITV commentators:
Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe Speight
BBC co-commentators:
Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFadden
ITV co-commentators:
Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros Townsend
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
