Rio Ferdinand: Man United legend takes on shock new role after TNT exit | OneFootball

Manchester United’s legendary defender Rio Ferdinand has reportedly taken on a different on-screen role away from football following his departure from TNT Sports.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the former Red Devil has been working as an interviewer during Tennis TV coverage at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.

The report says Ferdinand was seen on court after Jannik Sinner’s opening win, speaking with the Italian in front of the crowd. It marks a change of pace for the Englishman, who has largely been associated with football broadcasting since his retirement.

New role away from football

During the post-match exchange, Ferdinand asked Sinner: “How tough was it for you with the conditions today? And how did you deal with that?”

Manchester Evening News suggest Ferdinand could continue appearing during the tournament as part of the broadcaster’s coverage. The appearance is notable given his long run as a football pundit, most prominently across European and Premier League coverage.

The six-time Premier League winner has maintained a high media profile in the years since he stopped playing, moving between TV, digital work and his own projects.

Ferdinand on why he moved on

Ferdinand has also spoken about wanting a new challenge after his spell with TNT Sports.

“I like being tested. I like pressure. I had it fine at TNT. I could have signed a new contract at TNT. Easily. But that ain’t who I am really. It’s time for something new,” he states, adding that he had been trying to push the broadcaster in a different direction, but felt it was not taken up in the way he hoped.

“And with all due respect, I’d been trying to push [a new] side of things within the team and the group at TNT, and they weren’t really as receptive as I would’ve liked,” Ferdinand said.

Ferdinand also pointed to a broader shift in how audiences consume sport beyond the match itself.

“Linear TV and live football are always going to be there, but there’s also another world outside the 90 minutes that intrigues me, which I look at like a fan […] I’ve always been in my own lane.”

He explained he wants content that brings supporters closer to what elite athletes do away from competition, including preparation and recovery.

Overall, Ferdinand’s latest appearance is one of the clearest signs yet of what that next chapter could look like.

Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images

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