Introduction
Football punditry is an art form, blending expertise, insight, and at times, bold predictions. Some have made high-profile pundit blunders that have aged poorly, becoming the subject of ridicule among fans. Other analysts, however, get it spot on, cementing their reputations as trusted voices in the sport.
From dismissing legendary players to predicting doomed campaigns for clubs that later thrived, this article explores some of the worst calls made by football pundits, shedding light on their miscalculations and the unexpected turnarounds that followed.
1. Alan Hansen: “You Can’t Win Anything with Kids” (1995)
One of the most infamous punditry gaffes came from Alan Hansen, the former Liverpool defender turned BBC Match of the Day analyst. At the start of the 1995-96 season, Manchester United lost 3-1 to Aston Villa, fielding a team filled with young players such as David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, and Nicky Butt.
Hansen boldly declared, “You can’t win anything with kids.” Sir Alex Ferguson’s side went on to prove him spectacularly wrong, clinching the Premier League and FA Cup double that season. The young squad became the backbone of one of the most dominant teams in football history, making Hansen’s statement a legendary misjudgment.
2. Andy Gray: “Lionel Messi Won’t Make It in England”
Before Lionel Messi became one of the greatest footballers of all time, Sky Sports pundit Andy Gray expressed doubts about his ability to adapt to English football. Gray suggested that Messi, playing in the physical and fast-paced Premier League, would struggle against the rugged defenders.
Messi never moved to England during his peak years, but his performances against Premier League sides in the Champions League silenced doubters. From dismantling Arsenal in 2010 with a four-goal masterclass to humiliating Manchester United in multiple finals, Messi showed he could dominate any league without ever playing in it full-time.
3. Paul Merson: “Leicester Won’t Win the Premier League” (2015-16)
At the start of the 2015-16 season, Leicester City were 5000-1 outsiders to win the Premier League. Former Arsenal star Paul Merson, like many others, dismissed their chances, repeatedly stating throughout the season that they would fall away and the “big teams” would take over.
Leicester defied all expectations, clinching the title under Claudio Ranieri in what is considered one of the greatest sporting achievements of all time. Merson, alongside many other experts, had to eat their words as Leicester lifted the trophy in May 2016.
4. Gary Neville: “Liverpool Won’t Win the League Under Klopp” (2017)
Former Manchester United right-back Gary Neville has established himself as one of the most respected pundits in football, but even he has had his moments of misjudgment. In 2017, he stated that Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp would not be able to win the Premier League due to their defensive weaknesses and inconsistency.
Fast forward to 2020, and Liverpool not only won the Premier League but did so with a record-breaking season, finishing 18 points ahead of second-placed Manchester City. Klopp’s side also secured the Champions League, making Neville’s prediction another infamous blunder.
5. Michael Owen: “Real Madrid Shouldn’t Have Signed Luka Modric” (2012)
When Real Madrid signed Luka Modric from Tottenham in 2012, some pundits were skeptical, including former Liverpool and Manchester United forward Michael Owen. He doubted whether Modric had the quality to thrive at the Bernabéu.
Modric went on to win five Champions League titles, become the heartbeat of Real Madrid’s midfield, and claim the 2018 Ballon d’Or, breaking Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s decade-long dominance. Owen’s take on Modric aged disastrously as the Croatian proved himself one of the best midfielders of his generation.
6. Mark Lawrenson: “Manchester City Won’t Win the Title with Pep Guardiola” (2016)
When Pep Guardiola took charge of Manchester City in 2016, former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson doubted his ability to adapt to the Premier League, suggesting his tactics wouldn’t work in England.
Guardiola has since revolutionized English football, winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and the Champions League with City. His influence on the game and dominance in English football make Lawrenson’s skepticism one of the most misguided takes in punditry history.
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7. Garth Crooks: “Chelsea Wasted Money on N’Golo Kanté” (2016)
After N’Golo Kanté joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2016, BBC pundit Garth Crooks questioned the transfer, arguing that Chelsea had overpaid for a one-season wonder.
Kanté went on to win the Premier League in his first season at Chelsea, becoming the first player since Eric Cantona to win consecutive league titles with two different clubs. He also played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2021 and France’s 2018 World Cup win. Crooks’ statement now looks laughable in hindsight.
Conclusion
Football pundits, despite their experience and knowledge, are not immune to making errors in judgment. The unpredictability of football means that even the most educated predictions can be turned on their head. As history shows, some of the greatest teams, players, and managers have defied the doubters, leaving pundits to reflect on their miscalculations.
These incorrect calls serve as a reminder that football is unpredictable and that no one—no matter how experienced—has all the answers. And for fans, these blunders make for amusing anecdotes as the game continues to evolve in unexpected ways.
