John Giles to leave RTÉ at the end of Euro 2016 as his contract hasn't been renewed

Punditry legend John Giles has announced that he will be leaving RTÉ once Euro 2016 has finished after he was told that his contract would not be renewed. The former Leeds United star has been involved with the state broadcaster for over 30 years, having first joined the punditry team back in 1985.

It breaks up one third of the most iconic sports trio this country has ever seen, although Liam Brady and Eamon Dunphy will continue to feature on the network's soccer coverage.

“In my negotiations with RTE Head of Sport Ryle Nugent last year, he made it clear to me that this was to be the final year of my full-time engagement with RTE. He said that this was designed to allow him to continue the requirement to plan and prepare for the future," Giles told this morning's edition of the Herald.

"This was perfectly understandable to me and I signed the contract which finishes after the Euro 2016 final in France in good faith. But I want to make it perfectly clear that I’m not retiring or even thinking about it.”

Head of sport at RTÉ, Ryle Nugent, released a statement earlier today confirming that Giles was going to leave, while also saying that he is delighted to have had the chance to work with him.

“The Republic of Ireland’s participation in this summer’s tournament and RTÉ Sport’s coverage is an apt occasion for John to bow out at the top and we wish him all the very best with his future endeavours," said Nugent.

“It’s been a privilege to work alongside John through some of the most thrilling times for Irish soccer and his contribution to our programming has been phenomenal."

75-year-old Giles confirmed that he will continue to work in punditry, and he also has a regular slot on Newstalk's Off the Ball on a Tuesday night, while he writes pieces for the Herald each week too.