Available to book

Speaker, pundit & recovery advocate

Paul Merson

Adversity

Mental Health

Transform team performance with Paul Merson, speaker, football pundit and addiction recovery advocate. Paul works with organisations to deliver authentic leadership insights and resilience strategies, sharing expertise gained from his Premier League career and Sky Sports broadcasting.

Check Paul’s availability

Trusted by BBC Television South West, BBC, Finders Keepers Corporate Hospitality Co., Mercedes AMG

Paul Merson

London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£6–10k

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Book Paul

London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£6–10k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Paul Now

Instant quote

•

No upfront fee

•

Vetted speaker

Paul Merson's biography

Strictly Come Dancing

After Dinner Sports

Celebrity

Sport

Author

Influencer

Football

Soccer

Mental Health Awareness

Athlete

At a glance

Former professional footballer and manager in the Premier League
Football television pundit with a significant following
Advocate for addressing addiction, sharing personal struggles and recovery journey

Paul Merson, speaker, is a much-loved former professional footballer and manager turned football television pundit. Paul's football career began in 1984 when, at just 14, he signed with Arsenal. A talented attacking midfielder, he gained experience on loan at Brentford before returning to Arsenal in 1987. He scored on his debut and added three more goals in his first five starts. Paul’s career brought numerous accolades, including PFA Young Player of the Year, the FA Cup, League Cup, and helping Arsenal secure their first European trophy in 24 years by winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup. While representing England, he faced personal struggles with addiction to alcohol, drugs, and gambling, seeking therapy to address these challenges. After rehab, Paul, nicknamed 'The Magic Man' by Arsenal fans, continued to excel. He joined Middlesbrough for £4.5 million, becoming the most expensive non-Premiership signing at the time. His career also included successful spells with Aston Villa, Portsmouth, and Walsall, with his time at Villa standing out. Since retiring in 2006, Paul has become a prominent Sky Sports pundit and match reporter on Soccer Saturday. He is also a sought-after speaker, known for his humour and honesty, sharing stories from his book How Not to Be a Professional Footballer and his candid account of overcoming addiction. In 2024, Paul appeared on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, earning widespread admiration and becoming a fan favourite. Paul Merson is available for both in-person and virtual events, including Q&A sessions, after-dinner speaking, luncheons, personal appearances, corporate engagements, and golf days. Contact PepTalk to find out availability and fees.

Paul's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Paul Merson: Humorous Tales From Football And Management

Full of his much-loved humour, Paul Merson shares stories from his footballing and managerial career. The perfect peptalk for all sporting fans!

Addiction & Mental Health: A Q&A With Paul Merson

According to the latest Public Health England report on gambling, 0.5% of the population (approximately 246,000 people) are problem gamblers, and 3.8% (2.2 million people) are 'at-risk' gamblers. As someone who has struggled with addiction and mental health, Paul Merson is able to bring his experience, his vulnerability and his honesty to help beat the stigma and open up the conversation around addiction.

Why we recommend booking Paul

Paul will captivate your audience with his incredible football career and his candid, inspiring journey through addiction and recovery. His engaging storytelling and openness break down barriers and spark meaningful conversations.

Check Paul's availability

Trusted by BBC Television South West, BBC, Finders Keepers Corporate Hospitality Co., Mercedes AMG

Testimonials

Paul was so open and honest. I thought some areas would be off limits but he could not have been more revealing or amusing about his colourful career.

Matthew Pick

BBC Television South West

Paul gave a very open and interesting talk about the highs and the lows of his career in football and his life in general. I found him a charming guy and great company.

Andrew Brassington

Finders Keepers Corporate Hospitality Co.

Paul is a very entertaining speaker and undoubtedly a great character with some fascinating stories about his life both on and off the field. One of the best speakers we have had at our annual dinner.

The Bass Charity Vase

Featured Projects

Hooked: Addiction And The Long Road To Recovery

15,000+ experts

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Get in touch

How do I book Paul Merson for my next event?

Email paul.merson@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Paul Merson for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Paul Merson's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Paul Merson directly.

What is Paul Merson's speaking style like?

Paul delivers with honesty, humour, and openness, sharing fascinating stories from his colourful career. Audiences find him charming, entertaining, and engaging, making his talks both memorable and enjoyable.

What topics does Paul Merson specialise in?

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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Yes. PepTalk books commercial podcast guests every week of the year. A high-profile voice can boost your podcast's reach and deliver ideas to your audience at scale. Fees typically start from £1,200 / $1,500, depending on the expert. Our network includes bestselling authors, industry leaders, and cultural figures who have appeared on leading global podcasts — and many host their own. Whether you want bold insights, candid stories, or deep expertise, we'll help you find the right guest to elevate your show. Contact us today to book your next podcast guest.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

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