Micah Richards, the former England and Manchester City defender turned broadcaster, plans to retire from punditry by 2034. Richards, 38, has informed his employers at the BBC, Sky Sports, and CBS Sports of his decision, stating his intention to step away from mainstream media work after the 2034 World Cup.
Richards, who also co-hosts Gary Lineker's popular podcast "The Rest Is Football," expressed a desire to dedicate his post-football career to community work. He aims to "give something back" to his hometown of Chapeltown in Leeds, focusing on providing opportunities for young people. Richards stated he wants to be more hands-on than simply lending his name to charitable foundations or making occasional appearances.
Despite his relatively young age for a pundit, Richards has expressed a desire to move away from the public eye and online discourse. He recently deactivated his X account, formerly Twitter, citing the platform's negativity. He recalled reading comments early in his punditry career that caused him to question his performance.
Richards' podcasting venture with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer has achieved significant popularity, ranking as the sixth most popular podcast in the UK and the top sports podcast according to Spotify. Individual episodes during tournaments have garnered over 100,000 listens, though traditional television broadcasts, such as England's matches during major tournaments, attract considerably larger audiences.
In addition to his broadcasting and podcasting commitments, Richards is also involved as a manager for the Baller League team Deportrio, alongside former teammate Daniel Sturridge.