Roy Keane and Ian Wright were on hand to provide coverage of the FA Cup final that included the Manchester United icon calling on the Arsenal great to be offered a TV deal
Roy Keane aimed a good-natured jibe at Ian Wright during their FA Cup duties – but not before calling for the ex-England striker to be offered a job. The football legends were working for ITV during Saturday’s showpiece, which Wright’s former team Crystal Palace collect the first major honour in their history with a stunning 1-0 success over Manchester City.
It was Eberechi Eze that came up with the winning goal in the first half, and it turned out to be enough for Palace to upset the odds and leave Pep Guardiola facing a trophyless campaign.
Wright, 61, had been in a familiar situation back in 1990 when Palace took on Manchester United in the FA Cup final, which they drew 3-3, with the former striker scoring two goals.
However, they eventually came up short as they lost 1-0 in the replay with Wright coming off the bench in both games.
While failing to deliver the trophy as a player, he was on hand to witness the current side’s triumph as a fan and surprised viewers after the game as he suggested it may have been his last FA Cup final working for ITV.
After discussing what the win would mean to previous generations of Palace players who weren’t able to win silverware, Wright dropped the hint of his broadcasting future with the network.
“Now that he [Steve Coppell] can see these scenes, he could’ve seen what it’d be like because we made some noise here in 1990,” he said.
“What it makes you realise if you could’ve given them that, I’m glad that I was able to be here – probably my last ever FA Cup and Palace have won it – do you know what I mean? It’s like a dream.”
In true Keane fashion, the Irishman couldn’t help but offer up a light-hearted to his punditry partner as he replied: “They done it for you Ian” before adding: “And more work for Ian, more TV work for him,” given the Premier League club will now compete in the Europa League next season.
Insisting that Wright’s on-air talents should be compensated, Keane then added: “There must be a deal out there for him somewhere.” The uncertain broadcasting future of Wright follows the shock departure of Gary Lineker from the BBC on Monday after sharing a pro-Palestine video on social media which included an ‘anti-Semitic’ rat emoji.
While the Match of the Day host quickly deleted the post and issued an apology, he confirmed his exit from the broadcaster, which will happen after Sunday’s final MOTD show of the Premier League season.
Lineker, 64, was set to leave his hosting role of the show at the end of the season but continue being the main presenter of next season’s FA Cup and of the World Cup in 2026, but he’s now leaving the BBC permanently after this week.
The former footballer said of his exit: “Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio. I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for
“However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”
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