Rio Ferdinand's TNT Sports replacement confirmed for first match of the season

TNT Sports seem to have secured a replacement for Rio Ferdinand ahead of the new campaign. The Manchester United icon revealed his exit from the broadcasterback in May with a social media announcement.

Following a decade with the company, formerly called BT Sport, Ferdinand chose to stand down and concentrate on other business ventures and his family. On X, previously Twitter, the 46-year-old wrote: "Since retiring from football, it has been a privilege talking about the game I love for a decade.

"I want to acknowledge the tremendous support from the team behind the scenes, whose hard work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.

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"As I turn the page to the next chapter, I carry with me countless memories. I am excited about what the future holds - spending more time with my family, focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents and my other business interests."

Ferdinand has built up more than one million followers on his YouTube platform, and he also runs his own fashion brand, named FIVE. With the new campaign approaching fast, TNT Sports have apparently secured a replacement for the former United skipper, reports the Manchester Evening News.

According to City AM, TNT Sports have enlisted Joel Ward to join Steve McManaman on the punditry panel for the Community Shield clash between Liverpool and Crystal Palace on Sunday. However, it's reported that the former Palace defender isn't being lined up as a permanent replacement for Ferdinand.

Earlier this year in March, TNT Sports secured a four-year deal with the FA for broadcasting rights to the Emirates FA Cup, starting from the 2025/26 season.

The deal will see them air live matches from the first round, with every game from the third round of the world’s oldest national football competition – excluding 3pm kick-offs – available all the way to the final at Wembley Stadium.

In addition to the curtain-raising Community Shield, which they'll be airing this weekend, TNT Sports also bagged the rights to broadcast Premier League matches for another four years, extending their coverage through to the 2028/29 season.

The fixture will provide another opportunity for Oliver Glasner to deliver silverware to Selhurst Park, but he'll have to go through the Premier League champions to do so.

Arne Slot has enjoyed a busy summer of incomings with Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekikite expected to feature in the Wembley clash, alongside fellow new signings Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.

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