Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards has revealed he plans to step away from television punditry within the next eight years, despite enjoying huge success since retiring from football.
The 38-year-old has established himself as one of football’s most recognisable broadcasters following the end of his playing career in 2019.
Richards is a regular pundit across the BBC, Sky Sports and CBS Sports, earning praise for his engaging personality and on-screen chemistry with fellow analysts.
He also co-hosts The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.
The show has continued to grow in popularity, with Netflix reportedly paying £14 million to stream it during this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America.
However, Richards says he has no plans to remain in broadcasting long-term and wants to leave the industry while still at the peak of his career.
“I’ll be out of all this by the time I turn 46,” he told The Telegraph. “You won’t see me on any mainstream media beyond the 2034 World Cup. That will be the last time I am on the BBC or Sky or CBS. I’ve told them all this and they think I’m joking. I’m not.”
If Richards follows through on those plans, the 2034 FIFA World Cup will mark his final appearance as a television pundit before bringing an end to his broadcasting career.
