Mail: TV battle for Carra

Sky Sports look set to win the TV battle for the  services of Jamie Carragher, who has announced he will retire at the end of the season after a career spanning 16 years.

All the major networks are keen to employ the Liverpool defender as a pundit but Sky are expected to pull out the stops to land him, with station boss Barney Francis desperate to see off any bid from new rivals BT Sport.

Carragher, 35, would strengthen Sky's team of pundits, which includes Jamie Redknapp and Gary Neville. But England manager Roy Hodgson says Carragher, who has a UEFA 'B' licence, is cut out to be a football coach.

Hodgson, who managed Liverpool in 2010, said: 'Having worked with Jamie Carragher, it was always evident that he was a model professional who gave everything he had  for club and country. After retirement, I am sure he will march quickly up the coaching ladder and become one of the country's top young coaches.'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said Carragher will continue to play a role in his team until the end of the season.

Carragher added: 'It has been a privilege and an honour to represent this great club for as long as I have.

'Now all our focus and concentration should be on achieving the best possible finish in the Premier League and trying to win the last remaining trophy we are competing in.'

Source: Daily Mail