Rio Ferdinand has announced his departure from his role as a pundit and commentator for TNT Sports, with this Saturday’s Champions League final between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain being his last appearance. Ferdinand shared the news on social media, revealing that he has reluctantly made the decision to "step away" due to his hectic schedule, which marks the end of a 10-year partnership with the broadcaster. The former Manchester United and England star’s decision sees him part ways with TNT Sports on very good terms, with the broadcaster expected to recruit a replacement. The 46-year-old said in a statement on social media: “I have made the difficult decision to step away from TNT Sports after the Champions League final. Since retiring from football it has been a privilege talking about the game I love for a decade for sports fans watching on BT Sport and TNT Sports. “To everyone at TNT Sports, we have a brilliant end to the season to look forward to on Saturday and for now all focus will be on what I think could go down as one of the great European finals. The network continues to thrive with more rights than ever. I know I look forward to following its progress and the exciting future that lies ahead. “For a football fan like me it's been a dream come true as I turn the page to the next chapter I carry with me countless memories.” As Ferdinand's tenure with TNT Sports draws to a close, we take a look at what lies ahead for both the former footballer and the broadcaster. In March, the Daily Mail reported that TNT bosses proposed a contract extension to Ferdinand at the end of his current term, which he has chosen not to accept. Having been a prominent figure in TNT's Champions League football coverage, it is understood that there may still be opportunities for him to make guest appearances in the future, particularly as the broadcaster is set to secure rights to the FA Cup from next season. Yet, Ferdinand has made it clear that he intends to concentrate on other ventures, including his management firm 'New Era' and his blossoming production company that creates podcasts and interviews. The Mail also reported that Ferdinand could now look to move into US coverage with his management company recently signing an agreement with William Morris Endeavor (WME), who represent a number of American celebrities such as Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds from their base in Beverly Hills. There's undoubtedly a growing demand for Premier League legends to provide football analysis in the US. Ex-players like Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry and Micah Richards have enjoyed huge success on their CBS show, while this season has seen NBC Sports hire Gary Neville. Ferdinand could be looking to follow suit, especially with the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico right on the horizon, which is set to bring a fresh audience to the sport in North America. Ferdinand’s statement indicated that his plans to step away are also tied to his desire to spend more time with his family. He wrote on his social media platforms: “I’m excited about what the future holds, spending more time with my family focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents and my other business interests.” It follows The Sun 's report last month claiming Ferdinand, alongside his wife Kate, may be considering a move to Dubai. It was claimed that the couple have already started looking at properties and schools in Dubai, having reportedly decided that now is the right time for them and their family to relocate. They share two children together, while Kate is also a stepmother to the former footballer's three children from his previous marriage to late wife Rebecca Ellison, who died from cancer in 2015. It was also claimed that they will travel back and forth to the UK to fulfil their work commitments, with Kate being the founder of podcast and online platform ‘blended’. As of now, any definitive plans to leave the UK have not been officially verified by Ferdinand. Ferdinand's outspokenness as a pundit and unwavering support for his former club, United, has occasionally sparked criticism from TNT Sports viewers. One instance was when he suggested Ibrahima Konate should have received a red card for a last-man challenge during Liverpool's Champions League match against PSG in March, prompting a Liverpool fan to accuse him of bias. The fan expressed their discontent on X, saying: "Look, football fans have had enough of the likes of Ferdinand and others. They've had enough of bitter commentators not having any neutrality in the job that they're doing. "You don't need people like Rio Ferdinand there commentating on a Liverpool game knowing that he doesn't want to see you do anything or win anything. He should be behind the English club. But as is always the case with these commentators, their previous bias creeps in. Let me just say this wholeheartedly, f*** you Rio." Ferdinand promptly responded to the critical comments, pointing out: "I wasn’t on the gantry when Liverpool scored. Like in the first half where I left the commentary position to go back down pitchside after 36 minutes. I was asked to do the same in the second half prior to the goal. Thanks." Ferdinand and fellow TNT Sports pundit Robbie Savage were also criticised for their joyous reactions in the commentary box after United overturned a 4-2 deficit in extra time to beat Lyon 5-4 in the Europa League. Savage defended Ferdinand by saying: “Some of the comments questioned whether Rio’s contribution was impartial given his 455 appearances and 10 major trophies, including six titles, as a United player. But I defy anyone – whether you played the game for United or another club - not to be excited by such an extraordinary finish. "Football is an emotional game, and if co-commentators convey their passion when they are watching something sensational, they are only reflecting what viewers are feeling in their armchairs at home. Whether or not you approved of our antics caught on the TNT ‘comms cam’, surely you can’t look at something so incredible and remain indifferent. "Rio is a United legend who knows the club, how it works and who calls the shots. He is not going to sit on his hands and sound like he’s reading the shipping forecast when his old team goes from 4-2 down with six minutes left to a 5-4 win. It’s not bias, it’s human emotion." Ferdinand and other pundits also came under fire for their harsh critique of England's performance at Euro 2024, where the Three Lions underperformed for much of the tournament despite reaching the final. He said on an episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents : “If there’s been below par performances, there’s no way that you can expect anyone, us as pundits or fans, to sit there and go, ‘Well done guys – pat on the back.' I played in tournaments where we didn’t do well. I never expected anybody to then come out with positive comments. I don’t think in any industry you work in, if you don’t perform, that you’d expect anything other than criticism." Ferdinand was unable to cover Arsenal's trip to PSG last month after being rushed to hospital. The Red Devils icon shared a selfie from a hospital bed on social media, captioning it: “Gutted to be missing the Semi-Finals this week on @tntsportsfootball! Wishing the team all the best — I’ll be watching every minute from the iPad!" After receiving an outpouring of support from his followers, the ex-defender revealed on Rio Ferdinand Presents that he had been struck down by a severe virus, which at one point made him fear for his life. He recounted: "I had a mad virus. I thought lights were out at some point, I thought it was gonna happen. I thought I was minutes away from lights out, seriously. “I was in my house, I was in my bed like this (pained expression) and I couldn't even open my eyes. Then, the headache I had… I don't get migraines or nothing else so I don't know what they're like. I thought my head was in a vice and my eyes were going to pop out. Then, I was being sick, projectile vomiting in the toilet, I got back to bed and I was having vertigo. I was holding onto the sheets, I didn't know where I was. It was crazy." He continued: "I had to go to hospital and the doctor even said to me, 'Do you want an ambulance?' So that's when I knew. He went, 'We're going to get your brain scanned.' I thought it was a virus or a flu or something so when he mentioned brain scan and the ambulance, the panic was nuts. I went to hospital and I was in there for a few days. I couldn't even enjoy the hospital food. The soup and the ice cream normally does wonders." Ferdinand's departure means he will miss an exciting period at TNT Sports. The broadcaster announced in March that it will continue to show live and exclusive Premier League matches for another four years, through to the 2028/29 season, which extends its partnership with the English top flight to 16 years. That will be offered alongside its existing portfolio, which includes the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Women's Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and National League, domestic and European club rugby, MotoGP, NBA, UFC and boxing. BT Sport, as it was previously called, won exclusive rights to all live Champions League fixtures and highlights back in 2018. Its current European football deal, which runs from 2024 until 2027, means it still holds exclusive rights to show the Europa League and Europa Conference League. However, it is part of a trio of broadcasters for the first three seasons of the Champions League in its new format, alongside Amazon Prime and the BBC . Amazon Prime airs one match on Tuesdays, while the BBC presents a highlights show each matchweek. It's expected that TNT will begin their search for Ferdinand’s replacement and announce their decision in the coming months. One potential candidate is former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale. The Welsh football legend recently worked alongside Ferdinand for the Europa League final, where his insightful commentary was well received by viewers as his former team Spurs triumphed over Ferdinand's beloved United.