Andy Devaney
Emma Hayes has emerged as the UK’s favourite football pundit during Euro 2020, new research has revealed.
The Chelsea manager, who has just signed a new deal to remain as manager of Chelsea, the Women’s Super League champions, has been a breath of fresh air, seizing her platform on ITV to showcase her credentials as a shrewd student of the game, while expertly dissecting the action from the studio – alongside a plethora of World Cup and Premier League winners.
From the social media images of her ‘ridiculous prep’ notes to the lecturing of commentator Sam Matterface on ‘covering the pivot’, Hayes can now lay claim to top spot in the Commentator Rankings, out of 28 pundits analysed.
The 44-year-old’s exceptional analysis during this summer’s tournament has proved to be a huge hit on social media, with fans quick to praise her astute tactical expertise and all-encompassing football-focused mind.
The analysis looked at Tweet volume and mean sentiment scores for each pundit, commentator, co-commentator and presenter from ITV and the BBC since the start of Euro 2020, to reveal who have been the most, and least, popular voices.
The pundits have certainly risen to the occasion. From Robbie Savage’s partisan travails alongside his beloved Wales, Roy Keane’s continuation of being one of the most entertaining analysts with his no-nonsense style, and Ally McCoist and Graeme Souness also chiming well with the Great British public!
Rob Earnshaw is in second place having appeared both on TV and the radio, while Nadia Nadim is in third ahead of Jurgen Klinsmann, Nigel de Jong and Micah Richards – who was the nation’s favourite prior to the tournament.
| Rank | Pundit |
| 1 | Emma Hayes ITV |
| 2 | Robert Earnshaw ITV |
| 3 | Nadia Nadim ITV |
| 4 | Jurgen Klinsmann BBC |
| 5 | Nigel de Jong ITV |
| 6 | Micah Richards BBC |
| 7 | Graeme Souness ITV |
| 8 | Ashley Williams BBC |
| 9 | Roy Keane ITV |
| 10 | Shelley Kerr BBC |
| 11 | Alex Scott BBC |
| 12 | Ian Wright ITV |
| 13 | Alan Shearer BBC |
| 14 | Charlie Adam BBC |
| 15 | Rio Ferdinand BBC |
| 16 | Patrick Vieira ITV |
| 17 | John Collins ITV |
| 18 | Cesc Fabregas BBC |
| 19 | Eni Aluko ITV |
| 20 | Mark Hughes BBC |
Unsurprisingly, Ally McCoist has held onto his spot as the UKs favourite co-commentator since the start of Euro 2020 along with lead commentator Clive Tyldesley – largely thanks to their entertaining performances.
Hayes and McCoist’s contributions have been more than noteworthy, earning ITV much kudos in the space!
Pat Nevin, a regular to BBC Radio 5Live listeners, has been the second most popular co-commentator throughout, while Charlie Adam completes a Scottish top three and Chris Waddle comes fourth as he continues to prove popular for his takes during England matches.
| Rank | Co-commentator |
| 1 | Ally McCoist ITV |
| 2 | Pat Nevin BBC |
| 3 | Charlie Adam BBC |
| 4 | Andy Hinchcliffe Sky |
| 5 | Chris Waddle BBC |
| 6 | Nathan Blake BBC |
| 7 | John Hartson ITV |
| 8 | James McFadden BBC |
| 9 | Martin Keown BBC |
| 10 | Alan Smith Sky |
Tyldesley was replaced as ITV’s lead commentator in 2020 by Sam Matterface, and unsurprisingly he remains more popular with the UK public, with more than twice as many tweets about the veteran than his replacement – along with a much higher positive sentiment rating.
| Rank | Commentator |
| 1 | Clive Tyldesley ITV |
| 2 | Martin Tyler Sky |
| 3 | Guy Mowbray BBC |
| 4 | Jonathan Pearce BBC |
| 5 | Sam Matterface ITV |
| 6 | Joe Speight ITV |
| 7 | Steve Wilson BBC |
| 8 | Seb Hutchinson ITV |
| 9 | Vicki Sparks BBC |
| 10 | Darren Fletcher BT Sport |
Assuming that each broadcast features one presenter, one commentator and co-commentator alongside three pundits in the studio, Commentator Rankings can reveal the UK’s favourite line-up from the tournament so far:
Presenter: Gabby Logan (BBC)
Commentator/co-commentator: Clive Tyldesley (ITV) and Ally McCoist (ITV)
Pundits: Emma Hayes (ITV), Rob Earnshaw (ITV) and Nadia Nadim (ITV)
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