Liam Brady to leave RTÉ after 25 years

Robert Redmond

Brady has been a pundit on RTÉ for over 25 years.

Liam Brady will make his final punditry appearance for RTÉ on Monday night.

The Arsenal legend has been a pundit with the national broadcaster since 1998, but the Republic of Ireland’s match against Gibraltar will be his final appearance for RTÉ.

Liam Brady set to leave RTÉ, according to reports.

Brady’s contract with the national broadcaster ends after the Euro 2024 qualifier on Monday night. RTÉ announced his departure on Monday afternoon, saying that he will be ‘stepping down’ from his role.

“In 1990 I retired as a player at the age of 34. In 2016 I retired from my position in the Arsenal Academy and now I’m announcing my retirement from TV punditry with RTÉ Sport,” Brady said in a statement.

“I have had the most amazing time working on RTE’s football coverage over the last 25 years and it is now fitting that I draw it to a close. I started with the World Cup in 1998 with my great friends Eamon, John and Bill. We had great fun together in between the arguments.

“There are many highlights, Zidane and France in 1998, Manchester United in 1999 and Liverpool’s miracle in 2005. At half time my tip AC Milan looked comfortable but that is the beauty of sporting comebacks.

“I fondly remember the commentary box in Paris with George Hamilton when my beloved Arsenal were one-nil up against Barcelona. Henrik Larson came on and changed the game. I also remember fondly the emergence of a brilliant Barcelona led by this new coach Pep Guardiola with some young kids called Messi, Xavi and Iniesta.

“I’m going to miss the guys I played with and then worked with, Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton and Jim Beglin. Didi Hamann has become a great friend and the new guys Richard Sadlier, Kevin Doyle, Damien Duff and Shay Given.

“I will also miss all the presenters who asked the questions and the people behind the scenes.

“It was a pleasure to work with them and RTÉ. I want to wish all in RTÉ Sport the very best for the future. Thanks for the memories.”

Brady, 67, was a member of the famed RTÉ football panel alongside John Giles, Eamon Dunphy and presenter Bill O’Herlihy.

The panel framed the talking points around big matches, and was must-see TV for a generation of Irish football fans.

Giles left the panel in 2016, Dunphy departed in 2018 and O’Herlihy retired in 2014. The former RTÈ presenter passed away a year later.

Brady was one of the best footballers of his generation.

The Dubliner starred for Arsenal before joining Juventus, where he won two Serie A titles. The midfielder also played for Sampdoria, Inter Milan, Ascoli and West Ham United.

Brady represented Ireland 72 times and scored nine goals.