ITV benches Adrian Chiles as top football presenter for Mark Pougatch
Adrian Chiles has been dropped by ITV and replaced by BBC Radio 5 Live’s Mark Pougatch as the broadcaster’s lead football presenter.
Pougatch will replace Chiles who has led the channel’s football team since 2010. He will present ITV’s remaining Champions League broadcasts this season in addition to England’s home qualifiers and friendlies. Over his 20 year sports broadcasting career, Pougatch has presented major events such as World Cups, European Championships and the Olympics.
Niall Sloane, director of sport at ITV, said: “Mark is a highly-respected sports journalist and an outstanding broadcaster. We’re delighted to welcome Mark to the ITV Sport team.”
Pougatch added: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining ITV and to be given this great opportunity. I'm looking forward to working with ITV's talented pool of commentators and pundits on some of the very best football there is."
Pougatch will be called to action on 17 February for Chelsea’s last 16 Champions League fixture with Paris Saint-Germain.
He will continue to present sports programmes for BBC Radio 5 Live and PLTV while in his ITV role.