Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling has revealed he will leave Soccer Saturday after 25 years at the helm of the show.
The 68-year-old announced his intention to step down live on air during Soccer Saturday.
“I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team,” Stelling said.
“It is now the right time to move on and give Sky Sports viewers a break from my relentless rants, bad gags and over-the-top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals. It’s been a lot of fun – for me at least!”
Stelling previously said he would leave Soccer Saturday at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, but later confirmed he would stay on for another season.
“It is groundhog day, it is that time of the year, every year, where I announce I am leaving Sky Sports and Gillette Soccer Saturday,” he joked.
“But this time it is true.”
His announcement was greeted by a round of applause from the show’s panel of guests.
Sky Sports’ director of football, Gary Hughes, said: “After a brilliant 30+ year career at Sky, including over 25 years as the much-loved host of Soccer Saturday, Jeff Stelling is leaving Sky Sports at the end of the current football season.
“Jeff has been synonymous with Saturday afternoon football for decades, exciting and enthusing football fans everywhere.
“His unique broadcasting ability and passion for the game has made Soccer Saturday an unmissable fixture for fans and has won him a multitude of awards.
“He will be sorely missed. Sky Sports will give him the great send off his remarkable and enduring contribution deserves before he leaves us at the end of May to spend more Saturdays with his beloved Hartlepool United.”
Stelling joined Sky in 1992. He was also the main host for the broadcaster’s live Champions League coverage between 2011 and 2015.