Danny Murphy has voiced his concerns over Noel Gallagher‘s co-commentary appearance on TNT Sports, admitting he was ‘upset’ to the broadcaster draft in the Oasis icon.
Gallagher, who is a fervent supporter of Manchester City, joined Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist on the TNT Sports gantry on Tuesday night, as the Premier League champions took on Sporting Lisbon at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
City suffered a humbling 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Portuguese giants, who were waving farewell to manager Ruben Amorim ahead of his move to Manchester United next week.
Alongside his role on co-commentary duty, the rock star also joined Fletcher and McCoist before the match to share his thoughts on City’s recent struggles and predict the outcome of the night ahead.
Reflecting on TNT Sports’ decision to recruit Gallagher as a commentator and pundit, Murphy admitted it would ‘annoy’ him if celebrities continued to be used by broadcasters.
Danny Murphy has raised his concerns over Noel Gallagher’s co-commentary appearance on TNT Sports, after the Oasis icon was involved during Man City’s 4-1 defeat by Sporting Lisbon
Gallagher is a die-hard Manchester City fan and was part of TNT Sports’ coverage in Lisbon
He joined Darren Fletcher (left) and Ally McCoist (right) on TNT Sports’ commentary team
Worried it may become a trend, Murphy — who has been a pundit for the likes of BBC since his retirement as a player — told talkSPORT on Wednesday: ‘It would upset me. I wouldn’t want to hear that. Partly from a selfish perspective. Because I know how much work I put in and how difficult it is to try and see things, engage things, spend years watching different techniques and games to try and analyse them.
‘So, yeah, that would annoy me. I’ve got no problem with listening to different types of people watching football, pre [or] post [match], maybe even after.
‘As co-commentary, it’s neither here nor there. It doesn’t add much value for me. It’s a very difficult job. I know from doing it. As a third one [like Gallagher], it’s fine. But there’s not much there you’re going to learn.
‘I’d rather see him before or after the game, giving his little anecdotes about Pep [Guardiola] and the players.
‘He gives you something different. Some people will like it because of the novelty. I wouldn’t want to hear it every week, put it that way.’
Several fans aired their frustration on social media over the coverage while Gallagher offered his thoughts during the match.
Many questioned why Gallagher was part of the coverage, with one supporter branding the decision to include him on the commentary team as ‘absurd’.
‘I love (love) Noel Gallagher, but he’s actually commentating on a Champions League game involving the team he supports,’ one fan wrote. ‘What the f*** is happening to football on TV in this country? No wonder people don’t pay for subscriptions anymore.’
Fans claimed it was an ‘absurd’ decision for the Oasis star to provide analysis on the match
Others jokingly suggested Ozzy Osbourne and Sam Fender could commentate on their teams
‘Noel Gallagher on Champions League commentary may well be the most “the games gone” moment to date. Absurd,’ another added.
A third wrote: ‘When you think the coverage on TNT sport couldn’t get any worse they have Noel Gallagher on co-commentary, deary deary me.’
Others mischievously offered suggestions over alternative musicians who could commentate on their team’s upcoming matches.
One wrote: ‘TNT have Noel Gallagher commentating on the Citeh match tonight… wonder if they’ll have Ozzy [Osbourne] doing the Villa tomorrow night…’
‘Fairplay to TNT Sports. Just when you thought their commitment to dismal Champions League coverage couldn’t get any worse, they lower the bar even further by having Noel Gallagher on commentary,’ another added. ‘Looking forward to hear Sam Fender’s views next time Newcastle are on TV.’
