FORMER Republic of Ireland defender and Irish Times football analyst Mark Lawrenson is set to join the BBC's football team next season as a pundit on Match of the Day.
His new television role will also see him reporting on Football Focus, and he will continue to be an expert summariser for Radio 5 Live. Next year he will be in the BBC's lineup for the World Cup finals.
"It looks like I'm going to be pretty well full time with the BBC, working on Match of the Day and Football Focus as well as continuing my commentary work with Radio 5 Live," said Lawrenson.
The former Liverpool defender was appointed ads a defensive coach at Newcastle last season by former manager Kevin Keegan, but has since vacated that position following the appointment of Tommy Burns from Celtic.
"I've kept my hand in with media work over the past three or four years, so I'm looking forward to the new challenges this coming season," added Lawrenson.
"We're delighted that Mark is joining the BBC football team," said Niall Sloane, editor of Match of the Day. "He will be a real asset." BBC Television football coverage for 1997-98 begins on Saturday, August 9th, with the start of the English Premiership season.
