Contributed by Emma Booth.Regional Director, USA Sport Group.
Pundits have one of the toughest jobs in soccer, they are just as easily loved or hated as the players themselves, and one line can change your opinion of them in an instant. The majority of them are soccer heroes, but Alan Shearer is a prime example that a great player doesn’t make a great pundit. Whenever Shearer is on TV, my standard response is ‘wake me up when he has finished’, therefore unsurprisingly he doesn’t make it into my top 10. But before I get a load of Newcastle fans angrily hammering on my door, I will move on to those who have made the list… Click on their names to see them in action.
10: Lee Dixon
Lee Dixon left the BBC this summer and moved to ITV – a great loss for one, and a great coup for the other. Lee Dixon is clear, concise, and usually correct.
Granted, Jamie Redknapp is pretty to look at, but he also knows his stuff. He is passionate and his experience as a player usually makes his analysis spot on, hence why he is a regular on Sky Sports.
Eric Wynalda has humour and honesty in abundance. Never one to shy away making bold statements or wearing bold ties, Wynalda is a key cog in Fox Soccer’s machine.
7: Gary Neville
I never thought I’d say this, but Gary Neville is class. Some clever analysis mixed with serious discussion, and he isn’t as biased towards Manchester United as I would have thought. A great choice for Sky Sports.
A hard man during his playing career, Souness is no different in his punditry. Tough talking, the Scot doesn’t hold back when asked his opinion, and currently works for numerous broadcasters from Britain to Qatar.
Warren Barton gets a bad rep sometimes. I think he is pretty funny and speaks sense. As an Englishman in the US, he fronts the line of Fox Soccer pundits and is usually outspoken with original opinions.
Robbie Savage can rub you up the wrong way, but I love to listen to him. He is a top performer; funny, outlandish and can both take, and give out, decent banter.
The first of the three Soccer Saturday pundits on this list – each are enhanced by stellar presenter Jeff Stelling (who if you haven’t heard of, google him). Le Tissier loves the game, and is one of the most excitable pundits out there!
2: Paul Merson
Number two from Soccer Saturday, I’ve heard Paul Merson speak and he is eloquent and funny. But put him in front of a soccer match, and he acts exactly like any other football fan does, it’s just he is on TV!
1: Chris Kamara
And at number one is Chris Kamara, there are so many clips you could pick of this man, and in my opinion he truly is the best pundit on the planet. He has a bucket load of knowledge, but sometimes, some of his gaffes are “Unbelievable Jeff!”
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