Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank are set to go head-to-head as pundits for rival broadcasters at this summer’s World Cup. The BBC and ITV are finalizing their respective commissions for tournaments to be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The two broadcasters have markedly different approaches to covering the sprawling 104-game tournament, but both boast impressive star-studded lineups.
It has been revealed that Frank, who was sacked by Tottenham in February, will become one of the BBC’s key analysts. According to the Guardian, the Danes will be joined by the likes of Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer and Joe Hart in the squad. Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is also a new addition to the Beeb. As for Postecoglou, who replaced Frank in the Spurs dugout last summer, he has agreed to appear on ITV. Their line-up includes Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Ian Wright, as well as former Premier League winger Andros Townsend.
Tottenham supporters will note that while Postecoglou has spoken extensively about his two-year spell in north London, Frank has yet to speak publicly about his sacking. Frank’s dismal 34.2 percent winning percentage remains the worst of any permanent manager in Spurs history. His successor, Igor Tudor, fared a bit better.
The interim manager had lost five of seven games before current manager Roberto de Zerbi took over last month. Postecoglou signed for Nottingham Forest in September, but only played for 39 days.
ITV will broadcast England’s opening game against Croatia on Wednesday June 17th at 9pm, and their third group stage match against Panama on Saturday June 27th at 10pm. Meanwhile, the BBC holds the rights to broadcast England’s second match against Ghana on Tuesday 23 June at 9pm.
The BBC will have priority if England reach the last 32, last 16 or semi-final. However, ITV will be prioritized for England’s potential quarter-final, with both stations broadcasting the final independently.
ITV has secured an attractive studio in Brooklyn, New York for the duration of the tournament. Mark Pugach and Laura Woods will be leading the press as lead presenters. In contrast, the BBC will remain at home in Salford until the quarter-final stage.
Presenting duties will be shared by Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates. The choice of the BBC was driven by both financial and environmental considerations, but former presenter Gary Lineker, who was lined up to front World Cup coverage even before taking early retirement, has recently taken aim at criticizing his former employer.
“This World Cup is going to be different to all the other World Cups I’ve done for the BBC,” said Lineker, who will instead work for Netflix. “I would have been in the Green Box in Salford, but now I’m in Times Square in New York City. It’s going to be exciting and very different, but it’s still very similar to the podcast.”
