Who's a better pundit: Noel Gallagher, Thierry Henry or Jose Mourinho?

23 February 2015 14:31

It’s a hard life being a pundit – gone are the days where you could sit back and offer up bland platitudes in every situation. People actually expect you to say something interesting.

And unless you’re Gary Neville, the chances are that whatever you say, the seething masses of internet critics will not be impressed by your insights.

This weekend, Noel Gallagher had the rare honour of being a non-footballing guest on Match Of The Day 2, Thierry Henry continued his punditry career on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday and Jose Mourinho made a lively appearance on Goals On Sunday.

Noel Gallagher

Former Oasis musician Noel Gallagher at the Baftas
(Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Gallagher was clearly a hit with Manchester City fans – and indeed Liverpool fans, or anyone else who hates Manchester United.

He certainly rose above the usual football cliches, eschewing phrases like “for me, Clive” and “all the attributes” in favour of more original language.

But what was more surprising was that people seemed genuinely impressed by what he had to say.

Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone was impressed…

And some people wondered what this augured for the future…

But the overwhelming response was along these lines.

Thierry Henry

Former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry at an NBA game
(Adam Davy/PA)

Henry’s honeymoon period as a pundit seems to be over. He got settled in the pundit’s chair for Everton v Leicester and Liverpool’s trip to Southampton.

The former Arsenal man was widely seen as a breath of fresh air when he started with Sky earlier this year, but already that sheen seems to have gone.

Things went into overdrive when he was asked to judge a handball incident.

There’s a reminder of his own handball shame here.

Of course, Henry does have his supporters…

…but he has surprisingly few of them.

Jose Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on the sidelines
(Lefteris Pitarakis/AP)

Given the Chelsea boss has spent much of the last couple of weeks refusing to speak to the media, it was slightly surprising to see him on the Goals On Sunday sofa.

Anyone who thought the cosy surroundings might soften him, though, was in for a shock – particularly host Ben Shepherd.

It was kind of like watching some kind of blood sport.

As a pundit, though, he made a good interviewee.

Source: SNAPPA