Adrian Chiles leaves ITV: Football host joins exodus with immediate effect following Andy Townsend and Matt Smith announcement

ITV confirm that Mark Pougatch will replace Chiles after he leaves the TV broadcaster with immediate effect

Adrian Chiles has left ITV (GETTY IMAGES)

Adrian Chiles has left his role as ITV’s lead football host with immediate effect, with the broadcaster announcing Mark Pougatch as his replacement.

The reasons for Chiles’ exit remain unclear with neither the 47-year-old nor the channel confirming the news. Pougatch will begin his new role immediately, with his first task set to be the resumption of the Champions League last-16 and the Europa League last-32 plus England’s Euro 2016 qualification campaign.

The news comes after an announcement was made earlier this month that both Andy Townsend and Matt Smith will not have their ITV Sport contracts renewed tat the end of the season, and appears to be a complete upheaval of how the channel is presenting its football coverage.

Chiles was reported to have more than £4.6m last year, with £1m of that paid by ITV, according to the Daily Mail. In comparison, Sky Sports have signed Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to a deal worth in the region of £4m a season following his analyst debut for last weekend’s Premier League match between the Gunners and Manchester City.

Speaking in a statement released by ITV, Pougatch said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining ITV and to be given this great opportunity. I'm looking forward to working with ITV's talented pool of commentators and pundits on some of the very best football there is."

ITV Director of Sport, Niall Sloane, said: “Mark is a highly-respected sports journalist and an outstanding broadcaster. We’re delighted to welcome Mark to the ITV Sport team.”

Pougatch will also continue his work with BBC Radio 5 Live and PLTV.

Adrian Chiles fronted ITV's World Cup coverage (ITV)

ITV weren’t available when contacted by The Independent.