Melissa Reddy is a South African football journalist and author. She was a senior reporter for Sky Sports and Sky Sports News, specializing in the Premier League, from 2022 to 2025
Whilst studying at university, Melissa Reddy did an internship at Summit TV, a business channel in South Africa. After moving to Cape Town and joining TEAMtalk Media in 2007, and working across many sports, Melissa Reddy was Head of Football by 2011, before becoming Deputy Editor of Kick Off which is Africa’s largest sport publication. On both occasions, she was the first woman to hold such a post, and was also the first to feature as a football analyst on SuperSport’s marquee shows Backpages and Monday Night Football.
Melissa Reddy became the Liverpool correspondent of Goal’s 38 editions worldwide in November 2015. Reddy was then football correspondent at ESPN, wrote for The Athletic, and became the senior football correspondent at Joe, before joining The Independent as senior football correspondent in November 2019.
Melissa Reddy’s television appearances include Sky Sports News’ Tackling Racism, Sunday Supplement, Red Men TV and the BBC’s Premier League Show. Melissa Reddy has also guested on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Melissa Reddy has written for, guested and presented shows on The Anfield Wrap. Melissa Reddy has also presented shows on The Football Ramble, and guested on Second Captains, and BT Sport’s Football Writers Podcast. In 2020, Melissa Reddy started her own podcast interview series entitled Between The Lines with Melissa Reddy. Guests have included Gary Lineker, Mauricio Pochettino and Daniel Sturridge.
Also in 2020, Melissa Reddy released her first book, entitled Believe Us: How Jürgen Klopp Transformed Liverpool Into Title Winners. The book was referenced by England national rugby union team head coach Eddie Jones as an insight into the thinking and practices of the elite team produced by Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Melissa Reddy has spoken prominently about the racism and sexism she has endured in forging her career, and the barriers women face.
Melissa Reddy was shortlisted in the Best Writer category in the 2021 Football Supporters’ Association awards.
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