Jermaine Jenas has opened up about hosting the 2022 World Cup draw after being personally asked by FIFA – and he admitted the one thing he feared was not messing up
Don’t miss any of the latest and best Spurs news – sign up to the free Tottenham newsletter for updates straight to your inbox
We have more newsletters
Don’t miss any of the latest and best Spurs news – sign up to the free Tottenham newsletter for updates straight to your inbox
We have more newsletters
Jermaine Jenas has shared that he was personally approached by FIFA to take on the role of 'Draw Conductor' for the 2022 World Cup draw.
Since hanging up his boots in 2013, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, becoming a familiar face on BBC's Match of the Day and securing a spot as a permanent host on The One Show.
In an exclusive chat with Mirror Sport, Jenas, now 41, reflected on the prestigious presenting gig, saying: "If somebody asked me to do something and my initial gut is like, oh my God, maybe don't do it, I'm going to do it. That's how I am, I'm just like, that's the feeling I'm looking for. Go and do it. FIFA asked me to do it."
READ MORE: Harry Kane retirement fears expressed by ex-Spurs and England ace ahead of Euro 2024
READ MORE: I was a Tottenham player during lasagne-gate – players were sick everywhere vs West Ham
He continued, expressing the confidence FIFA had in him: "And, you know, they believed in me. They believed I could do the job, so I was like all right, let's just go out there and do it." Despite his nerves about potentially making a mistake at the event in Qatar, Jenas managed to pull off the role without a hitch.
"And then obviously, once I'm there, I know, like, everybody's watching and thinking and waiting for me to mess up, basically, which never happened, " he concluded. "So it was another step in the right direction in my life as a result."
The ex-England midfielder reflected on the expectations weighed on the Three Lions squad as they compete in the Euros, assuring fans that the pressure to bring home an international trophy after over 50 years doesn't solely rest on their shoulder – but also on Gareth Southgate's.
He said: "I think in terms of being kind of like win or bust tournament football is the same for everyone, but I think that question is probably better aimed at the manager than it is the players."
Besides, Jenas believes in the potential of the team, optimistically saying, "The players will go on and I think they're going to achieve something special at some point. I think the manager will have the decisions make on the end of this tournament as to what he does if they don't win it yet."
Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Tottenham stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!
Click this link to follow the football.london Spurs WhatsApp channel, where you'll be kept up to date on the latest Lilywhites news wherever you are.
Just remember to turn on the notifications once you've followed, and you won't miss a beat!
