ITV sign up Neville, Vieira, Keane and Souness as their star pundits for Euro 2020

ITV have announced their all-star punditry team for Euro 2020, with Gary Neville, Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane – who once were all at the centre of one of football’s most famous tunnel bust-ups – among the big names set to deliver their analysis.

Led by main presenters Mark Pougatch and Seema Jaswal, ITV will take on the BBC in a ratings war, and have unveiled a host of stars among their staff.

Ian Wright, Graeme Souness and Ashley Cole are among the regular names taking on punditry duties during the tournament, while there are a few new additions with the likes of Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend and Celtic legend Scott Brown.

Mark Pougatch (centre left) and Seema Jaswal (centre right) will front ITV’s Euro coverage

Roy Keane is among the big names taking their place in the studio for this summer’s Euros

Friday 11 June

European Championship

Group Stage

Turkey

Italy

Saturday 12 June

European Championship

Group Stage

Wales

Switzerland

Group Stage

Denmark

Finland

Group Stage

Belgium

Russia

Sunday 13 June

European Championship

Group Stage

England

Croatia

Chelsea Women’s boss Emma Hayes is also dipping her toes into the world of television, while Nigel de Jong, Joe Ledley and Eni Aluko have been signed up too.

Viewers will hope that sparks will fly if Neville, Keane and Vieira ever share the same studio, just like they did back in 2005 when Keane furiously confronted Vieira in the Highbury tunnel before Manchester United’s match at Arsenal. 

Keane accused Vieira of trying to bully Neville and the pair had to be separated, with the Irishman telling his great midfield rivals ‘I’ll see you out there’ while jabbing his finger repeatedly in anger.

Keane (right) argued with Patrick Vieira in a legendary bust-up in the Highbury tunnel in 2005

Vieira (second left) could now share an ITV studio with his great midfield rival Keane

Sam Matterface is the channel’s lead commentator, and his predecessor Clive Tyldesley will also be on air, with Lee Dixon, the ever-popular Ally McCoist and John Hartson all on co-commentary duties throughout the tournament.

The BBC host the first three matches of the tournament, before ITV get underway on June 12 with Belgium vs Russia at 8pm.

ITV have been boosted with two of England’s three group-stage matches though, showing the Three Lions against both Scotland and the Czech Republic.

Seema Jaswal (right) and Sam Matterface (left), pictured at a Chelsea awards night in 2018, are two of ITV’s biggest names during their Euro 2020 coverage

ITV have secured perhaps British television’s biggest pundit in the form of Gary Neville

Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend (right) will also give his thoughts for ITV this summer

Their matches will be shown across both ITV1 and ITV4, and reporters Gabriel Clarke, Michelle Owen and Raman Bhardwaj will be across the 11 host cities to add to the coverage. 

ITV will show 27 live games across a packed schedule throughout the tournament, including France vs Germany, Wales vs Italy, Scotland vs Croatia and Portugal vs Germany.

They also have first pick for the semi-finals and will show the final alongside the BBC, as is customary at major tournaments. 

Aside from their main channel coverage, ITV will also provide a Euros Daily Show on their online ITV Hub service, as well as a new show titled ‘Three Lions Raw’ online via their website and on YouTube. 

Palace winger Townsend has been hired to front a new podcast alongside main host Pougatch, with 12 episodes across the tournament. 

There will also be a refereeing expert on hand to provide clarity on key decisions, with BT Sport regular Peter Walton moving across to ITV for the tournament. 

ITV’s punditry team will be up against the BBC, who last week revealed their own line-up, fronted by Gary Lineker and including Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry.

Alex Scott, Rio Ferdinand, Jermaine Jenas and Micah Richards are among the Beeb’s other star names, while Jurgen Klinsmann and Cesc Fabregas have also been signed up.

Ashley Williams and Mark Hughes, meanwhile, will provide a Welsh perspective for the Beeb, with Scots James McFadden and Shelley Kerr on board too.

Fan favourite Ally McCoist (left) is on co-commentary duties for ITV during the tournament

The BBC have confirmed their broadcast line-up for the upcoming European Championship