View from my sofa: Micah Richards
The ex-footballer loves being a pundit — but what has him hiding under the duvet?
SKY
- Laura Rutkowski
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What’s the view from your sofa?
I watch a lot of TV in bed. I like to be snuggled up with a blanket with no one bothering me, and after something’s finished, I fall asleep. If I’m really in the zone, I’ve got a cinema room, where I’ll watch football and boxing.
Who controls the remote at home?
I am the controller! Nobody controls anything but me. I have three pet hates: someone going into my fridge without asking; people who don’t take their shoes off when they come into my house; and somebody changing the channel while I’m watching TV – it’s the biggest disrespect.
What have you enjoyed watching recently?
I’m a sucker for a Netflix documentary, but every time I watch true crime I end up having a nightmare. I live in an old barn conversion, so when I’m at home by myself at night, I’m always hearing things. The other day I had to sleep with the light on!
In A League of Their Own: the Rally you, Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott have been racing each other to be the first to reach Turin from London. Who’s the best driver?
Me! Driving’s my thing. Jill’s second, Jamie’s last. He’s like a pensioner now, he’s a Sunday driver. We were driving four to six hours a day and the Ford Ranger I was in was absolutely amazing.
You’re a big fan of cars. What’s your favourite that you own?
My Spyker. It’s a weird car. It looks similar to a Koenigsegg, but a smaller version, and it’s manual. I’ve got a Lamborghini Sterrato, which is like an off-road Lamborghini. It’s not about how much the car is, it’s more about the personality and what it represents. When I was in Florence playing for Fiorentina, because all the streets are small, I had a Fiat 500.
What was your first car?
An Audi A3, and I absolutely loved it. I was playing the FA Youth Cup final for Manchester City and it arrived after the game. When you get your first car, it’s freedom – no more taxis, no more lifts!
After you retired as a player, you were initially reluctant to do media work — what changed your mind?
I was injured for pretty much three years with my knee. I don’t like using the word depressed, but I was very low, and I just wanted to be away from everyone. I was sort of embarrassed that my career ended the way it did [Richards retired in 2019 at the age of 31]. After I did my first Football Focus, I got the buzz back. I saw pundits as legends of the game, and because of how my career petered out, I knew I wasn’t that, so could I bring a different approach? Football’s supposed to be fun and for everyone. That’s what I try to project when I’m on air. People say I can’t always be that happy, but I am – I’m just a positive person.
How are you feeling about the new Match of the Day line-up, with Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan replacing Gary Lineker?
I’ve worked with them all and they’re exceptional broadcasters. I’m excited to see what they bring. What Gary’s done over the last 25 years has been inspirational. He’s someone I look up to and he’s helped me with so many little tips, even the way I sit on air! People have to retire, but I’m glad he’s going out on a high and will be doing the World Cup and the FA Cup next season.
Do you ever see yourself sitting in the presenting chair?
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I prefer myself as a pundit, because I can give my opinion and I love the stuff I’m doing. I also feel like it’s a disservice to the people who have studied for so long and started from the bottom to be presenters. I would definitely do more documentaries [he presented Micah Richards: Tackling Racism in 2021]. People always ask me, “What is the goal?” It’s just to work as hard as possible.
Authors
Laura Rutkowski
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