We think it would be fair to say that it’s not exactly a like-for-like replacement.
Today’s revelation that Keane has WALKED OUT ON ANOTHER WORLD CUP decided not to travel to Brazil to work as a pundit for ITV because of his desire to focus on his coaching commitments has left the station with a gap to fill before the start of the tournament next week and a report on The Daily Telegraph website this evening suggests that Terry might be their man.
The report appears to be based solely on the fact that Terry has been installed as the bookies’ favourite to replace Keane and a belief that he is on ITV’s list of targets, but seeing as the Chelsea captain won’t be there in a playing capacity with England it does appear a quite feasible solution.
Keane’s decision not to go to Brazil has fuelled speculation that he will accept a coaching role alongside Paul Lambert at Aston Villa, which, in theory at least, will not affect his current job as assistant boss to Martin O’Neill with the national side. At the weekend, the former Irish captain informed Celtic that he did not want to be considered as a replacement for Neil Lennon as manager of the Hoops.
As for Terry, should he end up getting the ITV gig we’re not sure how much of an effect it will have on ratings on this side of the water; the loss of Keane will almost certainly result in a loss of viewing figures, not to mention how football fans will respond to the sight of Terry and Adrian Chiles in the same studio.
We’ll let you chew on that one for just a moment…
