Alan Hansen, once a beloved figure on UK television for his role on Match of the Day, hasn’t graced screens again in over a decade.
Blessing viewers with 16 FA Cup finals, six World Cups, five European Championships, and even an Olympic Games, Hansen’s insightful analysis on the BBC was home to his distinctive Scottish accent, quickly becoming a favourite among fans—even when branding play as “diabolical” or “shocking”.
However, the Liverpool legend stepped back from the limelight in 2014, living a more secluded life with his wife Janet and children, Adam and Lucy.
The last few years saw Hansen briefly resurface in the media following health concerns and receiving an MBE, but his absence has unquestionably left a void in the realm of football punditry that many still feel today.
Mirror Football delved into what Hansen is up to now.
Match of the Day
During his exemplary 14-year tenure at Anfield, Hansen, now aged 69, amassed an impressive haul of 25 major honours, which includes eight league titles and three European Cups.
Upon hanging up his boots in 1991, transitioning into punditry seemed a natural course for the assured former defender. By the next year, he joined the iconic Match of the Day team, offering sharp commentary as the Premier League era began.
(Image: Antonio Olmos)
His tenure on the show was as legendary as his time on the field. Despite predicting that a young Manchester United team, featuring the likes of David Beckham and Gary Neville, would struggle – predictions made before they clinched a Premier League and FA Cup double – Hansen’s credibility never wavered.
Nevertheless, he decided to bow out of the television limelight over ten years ago. Reflecting on his exit from Match of the Day, Hansen remarked: “The guys at the BBC know me and I said, ‘Look, this is categorical. I’m leaving and nothing will make me change my mind’. I’ve been in football for 41 years and I’m going out right at the top, just as I did at Liverpool.”
TV disappearance
Despite speculation that he was simply seeking a break after more than 20 years on television, Hansen revealed in a 2016 interview that his decision to step away from the media spotlight was due to “crippling” nerves.
Hansen has spoken candidly about the reasons behind his departure from Match of the Day, revealing that his nerves became overwhelming. “There was no training, it was sink or swim,” he admitted.
“After 22 years I kept telling myself I wouldn’t get so nervous, but it got worse. That was one of the reasons I left. The BBC were terrific, I loved the people and Match of the Day but I didn’t enjoy the nerves.”
His sentiments were echoed by Gary Lineker, who worked alongside Hansen on the show. “He was incredibly nervous,” Lineker recalled.
“Which is why he quit. He got so nervous. He used to shuffle his feet on the floor.”
(Image: Justin Ng / Avalon)
Despite Hansen’s struggles with nerves, Lineker holds him in high esteem as a pioneering figure in football punditry. “He was probably the first person that went down the more analytic route, a path now followed by so many,” Lineker said in April 2023. “He was a brilliant pundit.”
Health scare
Health concerns arose when it was disclosed on June 9, 2024, that Hansen was “seriously ill” in hospital. He has since been discharged to recuperate at home.
Hansen has bounced back from his health issues, enjoying everyday pursuits like golf again. He was even seen beaming as he accepted his MBE for services to football and broadcasting at Windsor Castle in March.
