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Paul Merson - Speaker

Paul Merson | PepTalk Expert Speaker
Paul Merson, Speaker| PepTalk
Adversity
Mental Health

Paul Merson

Paul Merson | PepTalk Expert Speaker
Hear the tales from his footballing career or open up the conversation around addiction with Paul Merson, speaker, former professional footballer and addiction recovery advocate.
Paul Merson | PepTalk Expert Speaker
Adversity
Mental Health
Adversity
Mental Health
Paul Merson
Paul Merson | PepTalk Expert Speaker
Hear the tales from his footballing career or open up the conversation around addiction with Paul Merson, speaker, former professional footballer and addiction recovery advocate.
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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 | https://peptalk-static-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/speech-bubble-2.webp
Matthew Pick
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Paul Merson | PepTalk Expert Speaker
Paul Merson | PepTalk Expert Speaker
Paul Merson
London, United Kingdom
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paul.merson@getapeptalk.com
UK: +44 (0)203 835 2929
USA: +1 737 888 5112
Paul Merson | PepTalk Expert Speaker

Speaker Biography

Keynote Speaker Biography

About Paul Merson

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.
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How can I book Paul Merson for my next event?  

Email paul.merson@getapeptalk.com, or call us 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.

PepTalk are the official speaking agents for Paul Merson available to book for corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity endorsements, 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. For media interviews, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Paul directly.

What topics does Paul Merson specialise in?  

Paul Merson specialises in discussing football, addiction recovery, public speaking and more.

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.

Does Paul Merson offer virtual speaking engagements?  

Yes, Paul Merson offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.

Why Book
Paul Merson?

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.
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See Paul In Action
Discover why event organisers, business leaders, and audiences worldwide recommend
Paul Merson
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 | https://peptalk-static-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/speech-bubble-2.webp
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. | https://peptalk-static-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/speech-bubble-2.webp
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. | Brian Eccleshall | The Bass Charity Vase | https://peptalk-static-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/speech-bubble-4.webp
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Matthew Pick
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 | https://peptalk-static-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/speech-bubble-2.webp
Matthew Pick
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 | https://peptalk-static-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/speech-bubble-2.webp
Matthew Pick

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