Former Tottenham Hotspur managers 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 finalising their respective panels for the tournament, which takes place across Canada, Mexico and the United States. While the two broadcasters have markedly different approaches to covering the vast 104-game tournament, both can boast impressive star-studded line-ups.
It has emerged that Frank, who was dismissed by Tottenham in February, will serve as one of the BBC‘s principal analysts. According to The Guardian, the Dane will be joined on their team by the likes of Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer and Joe Hart. Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is also a fresh addition for the Beeb. As for Postecoglou, the man whom Frank replaced in the Spurs dugout last summer, he has agreed to appear for 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 stint in North London, Frank has yet to publicly address his dismissal. Frank’s dismal 34.2 per cent win rate remains the worst of any permanent manager throughout Spurs’ history. His successor, Igor Tudor, fared little better.
The caretaker manager suffered five defeats in his seven matches in charge before current boss Roberto De Zerbi took over last month. As for Postecoglou, he linked up with Nottingham Forest in September but endured a mere 39 days before being shown the door.
ITV will broadcast England’s opening fixture against Croatia at 9pm on Wednesday, June 17, as well as their third group-stage clash against Panama at 10pm on Saturday, June 27. Meanwhile, the BBC hold the rights to England’s second match against Ghana at 9pm on Tuesday, June 23.
The BBC will have first pick of the rights should England advance to the last 32, the last 16 and the semi-finals. ITV, however, will have priority for England’s potential quarter-final, while both broadcasters will independently air the final.
ITV have secured a glamorous studio in Brooklyn, New York for the entirety of the tournament. Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods will front their coverage as lead presenters. The BBC, by contrast, will remain at their Salford base until the quarter-final stage.
Their presenting duties will be shared between Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates. While the BBC’s choice is driven by both financial and environmental considerations, former host Gary Lineker – who had been lined up to front their World Cup coverage before his early departure – recently aimed a dig at his former employers.
“This World Cup will be different because of all the other ones I’ve done at the BBC,” said Lineker, who will instead be working for Netflix. “I would have been in Salford in the green box, and now I’m in New York City, at Times Square. This will be exciting and something very different but still very similar to the podcast.”