The 'crippling' reason Alan Hansen disappeared from TV 10 years ago

Former Liverpool and Scotland defender Alan Hansen remains "seriously ill" in hospital with the world of football sending words of love and support for the legendary player and pundit.

The club confirmed on Sunday that the 68-year-old was in a serious condition, confirming that it is in contact with his family and would provide updates for fans when they receive them. He became a beloved figure at Anfield, making 620 appearances in 14 years and winning 25 major honours including eight league titles and three European Cups.

Of course, Hansen is also well known for his work as a pundit, appearing regularly on Match of the Day and entertaining viewers with his forthright opinions, often labelling teams' defending as "diabolical" or "shocking".

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He first appeared on the iconic highlights show in 1992 and covered 16 FA Cup finals, six World Cups, five European Championships and an Olympic Games during his time with the BBC. However, he bowed out in 2014, making his final appearance as an analyst for the broadcaster at the World Cup final that year.

Explaining his decision at the start of the 2013/14 Premier League season, Hansen said: “I’m retiring from Match of the Day at the end of the season. I will have been there for 22 years and will be 59, so it’s the right time for me.

"The guys at the BBC know me and I said, ‘Look, this is categorical. I’m leaving and nothing will make me change my mind’. I am contracted to do the World Cup and I will do that as it will be a good way to go out, but I have had a great run. ’I've been in football for 41 years and I’m going out right at the top, just as I did at Liverpool."

However, it later emerged that "crippling" nerves played a significant part in Hansen's exit, with the man himself admitting that fact in a 2016 interview. "There was no training, it was sink or swim," he said. "I was lucky to work with a master, Des Lynam.

“After 22 years I kept on telling myself I wouldn’t get so nervous, but it got worse. That was one of the reasons I left.

"I was getting more nervous and I’d say: ‘What are you doing?’ The BBC were terrific, I loved the people and Match of the Day but I didn’t enjoy the nerves.”

He added: “When I played I didn’t like pundits. When I was a pundit I didn’t like the other pundits because I was scared they might be better than me. Honestly, I thought they were all better than me. It was my insecurity."

Hansen's Match of the Day colleague Gary Lineker also spoke of the Scotsman's nerves last year, explaining: "He was incredibly nervous, which is why he quit. He got so nervous. He used to shuffle his feet on the floor." However, the presenter added: "He was probably the first person that went down the more analytic route, a path now followed by so many. He was a brilliant pundit."

Since leaving the BBC a decade ago, the former centre back has lived a relatively quiet life with his wife Janet and two children Adam and Lucy. Away from football, one of his other main passions is golf and he appeared as part of the BBC's coverage of the Masters before quitting TV.

Last year, he presented his former Liverpool and Scotland teammate Sir Kenny Dalglish with the BBC Sports Personality Lifetime achievement award during the SPOTY awards in Salford.