Former Tottenham Hotspur managers Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank are set to go head-to-head this summer after signing up as rival World Cup pundits.
The two recently departed Premier League bosses are poised to swap the dugout for the television studio during the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Frank is expected to join BBC Sport as one of the broadcaster’s leading analysts, while Postecoglou will feature as part of ITV Sport’s coverage.
According to The Guardian, the appointments will see the former Tottenham managers offer expert insight throughout the World Cup, with both men preparing for their first public roles since leaving management.
Frank has not spoken publicly since being dismissed by Tottenham in February after a difficult spell in north London.
The 52-year-old won 13 of his 38 matches in charge, giving him a win percentage of 34.2 per cent – the lowest of any permanent manager in the club’s history.
His successor, Igor Tudor, also struggled during his short-lived interim reign, losing five of his six games before departing after just 44 days.
Former Tottenham Hotspur managers Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank are set to go head-to-head this summer after signing up as rival World Cup pundits
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Postecoglou has likewise remained out of the spotlight since his own brief managerial stint at Nottingham Forest ended in October.
The Australian lasted only 39 days at the City Ground before being dismissed shortly after a home defeat to Chelsea.
The newspaper adds that former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has also joined the BBC’s punditry line-up.
Olivier Giroud will be working for the BBC at the World Cup this summer
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He is set to work alongside Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Alan Shearer.
ITV, meanwhile, have recruited Andros Townsend to complement an established panel featuring Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Roy Keane.
The BBC and ITV will once again share live UK television rights for the World Cup, with both broadcasters scheduled to show the final on July 19.
ITV will reportedly broadcast England’s opening group match against Croatia and their final group fixture against Panama, while the BBC is set to show the Three Lions’ second group game against Ghana.
The BBC is expected to air 54 matches overall, with ITV showing 51, ensuring all 104 games are available live to viewers across the United Kingdom.
Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham manager last summer
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ITV are believed to be basing their coverage in a studio in Brooklyn overlooking the Manhattan skyline, with Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods fronting proceedings.
The BBC’s presenting team of Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates are expected to remain in Salford until at least the quarter-finals.
The corporation’s decision is said to have been driven by both financial and environmental considerations as it looks to reduce air travel and limit its carbon footprint.
While neither Frank nor Postecoglou will be on the touchline this summer, both are set to play prominent roles in bringing the World Cup to millions of football fans watching from home.
