The EiF boys interview the world-renowned commentator, Martin Tyler. He is famous for his incredible calls and for being the voice of FIFA. Hear what he has to say about his career and the makings of one of the most popular video games in the world.
Martin Tyler Interview Podcast
Martin Tyler is a world famous football commentator and is recognised around the world for his work as the commentator in the popular video game series FIFA. He has been the lead commentator for Sky Sports since 1991 calling numerous Premier League and Champions League fixtures as well as many World Cup matches. He was named the Premier League Commentator of the Decade and is well known for his memorable moments in commentary such as Sergio Aguero’s last minute winner to win the league and Didier Drogba’s equaliser in the Champions League Final. In this interview, we discuss how he got started in commentary, what his favourite moments have been, and which teams and players has he enjoyed commenting on the most. Here are some of the highlights:
On how he got started:
– Martin Tyler explained that “I wanted to be a player, but I wasn’t anything more than a journeyman and it wasn’t paying the bills, so I needed to do something else.”
– He began as a freelance football journalist and then got a job behind the scenes at ITV, which he initially turned down.
– After a few years, he was offered the chance to do a game in 1974 and as you may not expect for such a natural commentator, he was “absolutely terrified.”
– But, to his surprise, they enjoyed his work and they asked him to do another game in a few days. Then, as he put it, “They’ve been asking me to do another game in a few days ever since.”
On how he prepares for matches:
– He says it’s hard work, but it has gotten much easier over the years
– When he first started it was much harder to identify players, but with the technology of today “there’s no excuse to not know who players are.”
– He says the key to preparing is “figuring out what each game means at this time”; what each team could gain from victory or lose from defeat.
– “Key to attach yourself to the storylines that matter”
On his time working for ESPN:
– Martin Tyler worked for ESPN during the 2010 World Cup, and he explains that since he was broadcasting for an American audience he found himself having to adjust his terminology
– He found it bizarre to be using words like “tie, defense and offense,” so he tried to stick to his guns and commentate in his more usual manner.
Working for the FIFA Video Game Series:
– Tyler explained how working for FIFA is such an enjoyable experience, as he gets recognized all over the world.
– He says they are given scenarios and they then “make it up,” and just try to commentate as they normally would.
– He was approached in 2005 to be the lead commentator for the game, and he’s done it ever since, as he enjoys it so much
– He mentioned how working with Alan Smith and Andy Gray on the series was great and how Gray was more light-hearted, while Smith took it a bit more seriously
On his favorite moments as a commentator:
– He mentions how he’s more worried about “getting it right on these big occasions because history is developing in front of your eyes.”
– When Manchester City won the league with Sergio Aguero’s last minute winner was one of his favorites and he is happy that “he is now associated with that moment.”
– He also mentioned the famous Champions League Final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich when Drogba scored a late equalizer
– He said this was one of his most memorable weeks because the Aguero goal and Drogba goal came in the same week.
On which teams and players he has enjoyed watching the most:
– Although he appreciates all the players and teams, he says for him “it’s all about the next one,” because as a commentator he feels he always needs to be ready for what’s next rather than focus on the past.
– However, he then expresses how the Real Madrid team in the 50’s/60’s captured his imagination, as well as the England team that won the World Cup in 1966.
– Regarding individual players, he mentioned Pelé, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, and Maradona, where he was the commentator when he scored his famous hand of god goal, as well as the goal Tyler describes “should’ve been worth two,” when he dribbled the whole England team.
– But, he says he “doesn’t take too much time to reflect on it, as he is still commentating now.”
On this year’s Premier League title race:
– “Nobody knows who will win the title, but Leicester are in pole position, and they definitely can win it.” He thinks it will come down to the wire and “it will be a great last couple of months.”
– But, for Martin Tyler, this title race is more indicative of what he hopes may be a sign going forward – that “there will be more of a challenge from the so-called unfashionable sides” in the near future, due to the smaller clubs now receiving a lot more money than they did in the past.
– He thinks that because of this the “top clubs are a bit scared at the moment,” which is why he thinks there is talk of a “Super League” forming, which Tyler is not a fan of.
