Steve McManaman

Studio Analyst

Steve McManaman

Steve McManaman joined ESPN as a soccer analyst for its networks in the United States and United Kingdom in November 2010.  In the U.S., he primarily serves as the match analyst for the network’s coverage of Barclays Premier League matches, studio analyst for U.S. Men’s National Team games and marquee international events such as the UEFA European Football Championship 2012, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.  On ESPN UK, the former Liverpool FC standout contributes as a studio pundit.  

McManaman, one of England’s most decorated soccer players, served as a studio analyst during ESPN’s critically-acclaimed and award-winning presentation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.  His incisive commentary during the month-long tournament was praised by both soccer fans and media critics. 

McManaman made history by becoming the first player without first team experience to play for the England Under-21 team.  He signed as a professional with Liverpool FC in 1990 and after making 364 appearances for the club, McMananan transferred to Real Madrid in July 1999.  He became just the second English player to ever play for the Spanish team.  After four years with Real Madrid, he went back to the English Premier League and signed with Manchester City in 2003. 

According to Forbes Magazine in 2001, McManaman was listed as high as 6^th on the list of highest earning footballers in the world and is believed to have pocketed an estimated 15 million Euros in his four years with Madrid. 

He played for England in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and in the UEFA European Football Championships in 1996 and 2000. McManaman was the first British player to win the UEFA Champions League title twice, and he was the first English footballer to win the Champions League with a non-English club. 

Following his retirement from professional soccer in 2005, McManaman embarked on a new career in television as a commentator, providing analysis for ITV during the 2005 Champions League Final, for ESPN Star Sports in Singapore in 2006, and for Setanta Sports.

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