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Jeff Stelling explains plan for next TV role in emotional statement on Sky Sports exit
Jeff Stelling was in fine form during his final show as presenter for Sky Sports after an impressive stint in the role, and he now plans on taking some time out
Jeff Stelling has revealed he will take a “few weeks” off to assess his options before deciding his future after he presented his final show for Sky Sports on Sunday.
Stelling departed the broadcaster after the final day of the Premier League season following a 25-year stint as the host of Soccer Saturday and Soccer Special, and 29 years with Sky Sports.
There will no doubt be a clamour for his services should the 68-year-old eye a new role – which by the looks of it he would be open to.
On Monday morning, he tweeted: “The morning after the day before. It all seems like an out of body experience (with my body, you would want to be out of it). I wanted to thank everyone for the overwhelming number of kind messages. I’m going to take a few weeks to assess my options and then decide what is next.”
Stelling announced his departure plan live on Soccer Saturday earlier this season, saying: “I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team.
“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!”
The Hartlepool-born veteran has been a mainstay on a show that has seen huge change, especially in recent years. The pundits were overhauled post-Covid with the likes of Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier all being moved on with younger contributors replacing them.
After Stelling’s exit, Sky Sports’ Director of Football, Gary Hughes said: “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.”
Talk has quickly moved to who would fill the giant shoes of the broadcasting legend with Soccer Saturday set to enter a new era. The Daily Mail report that his successor will be an internal appointment, rather than bringing in any outside talent, such as Laura Woods.
Adam Smith is reported to be the frontrunner for the role, having interviewed for the position last year. Smith, who has previously worked on Soccer AM, now hosts the Saturday Social and is said to have impressed execs during his screen test.
Julian Warren is also in the frame and would be a safe appointment having stood in for Stelling on numerous occasions over the years. It has yet to be confirmed when the next host will be announced, but it could come fast with the new season set to start in two months’ time.
