Jeff Stelling’s Soccer Saturday: Truth behind exit, feelings on changes, where he is now

Sky Sports stalwart Jeff Stelling quit Soccer Saturday as the role began to impact his health. The veteran broadcaster left viewers in shock when he announced his departure from the channel after the 2022/2023 season.

Having been a cornerstone of Sky since 1992, Stelling became synonymous with Soccer Saturday, charming audiences for a quarter of a century with his engaging personality, wit, and deep football knowledge. In a candid revelation this January about his unexpected exit, Stelling disclosed the reasons behind his decision to leave Sky.

He detailed how his "views" seemed to fall on deaf ears within the company's upper echelons, the weekly "battle" he endured, the loss of camaraderie with his colleagues, and the distressing admission that the job was detrimental to his health, reports the Mirror.

During an interview with The Guardian, Stelling described the toll the show took on him, often leaving him feeling sick on weekends and weary from the constant "fighting" to have his voice heard. He said: "Even though I'd been there a long time, I felt some of my views weren't considered at all. Every week I was fighting a battle. I got tired of fighting and it was making me ill. Eventually, I went to Sky's management and said: 'This is making me unwell. I've got to step away from it.'"

He added: "I'm almost ashamed to say it because my dad worked in a steelworks and would come back from his shift covered in grime and muck and absolutely exhausted. He would never have allowed me to say I was shattered after a TV show. But I felt it was making me ill so I had to step away."

As he declared his departure, Stelling expressed that he had "loved every moment" but felt it was the "right time to move on". Yet, beyond his health worries, the exit of Stelling's dear friends and colleagues Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson, and Charlie Nicholas from the much-loved Saturday programme played a role.

The trio, together with Paul Merson, won over audiences with their chemistry and witty exchanges. However, it was in 2020 when Thompson, Le Tissier, and Nicholas were dramatically dropped by Sky, leaving Stelling deeply distressed.

The decision came as a reaction to the pandemic and the push for a fresh take on the show, striking Stelling profoundly and potentially igniting his choice to ultimately quit the show. In the interview, Stelling detailed how he learned through a phone call about the dismissal of Thompson, Le Tissier, and Nicholas from the programme.

The axed pundits took the news with dignified disappointment. While Thompson and Le Tissier offered tributes to their long-time associates, Nicholas remained more circumspect.

Meanwhile, Stelling felt particularly shaken, as he expressed on X: "One of my saddest days ever at Sky Sports with the departure of three of my best mates. They have been part of a team that for me was the best."

Post his Sky Sports career, the 68-year-old has scored a prime position as the anchor of talkSPORT's morning show with Ally McCoist, and was also honoured with an MBE in the New Year's Honours list for outstanding contributions to sports, broadcasting, and charitable work. Stelling, who has also hosted football for Amazon Prime, has also hit the road with 'An evening with Jeff Stelling', featuring fellow Sky Sports alum Bianca Westwood.

Attendees can anticipate rich stories from his impressive career, plus a Q&A session where enthusiasts can put questions to the broadcasting icon. After Stelling and teammates' exit, the baton was passed to Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas.

As he stepped up for the 2023/2024 season start, the 52-year-old inaugurated his tenure by lauding his predecessor, signaling deep respect for Stelling.

"I want to say this, it is an absolute honour to take on the role of hosting this quite brilliant show and if I can do even half the job that the legend Jeff Stelling did over the last 25 years, I will have done something right." he said.

Despite Jeff Stelling's departure, Soccer Saturday continues to thrive with a stellar line-up including Thomas, Clinton Morrison, Sue Smith, Paul Merson and Michael Dawson.