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Graeme Souness and Jeff Stelling explain their decisions to leave Sky Sports in tearful goodbye

Graeme Souness and Jeff Stelling explain their decisions to leave broadcaster Sky Sports in a tearful goodbye at the weekend.

After 22 years of football management, the 69-year old joined the broadcaster’s team in 2008, and stayed with them for 15 years.

Sky Sports viewers were informed of his departure following Liverpool’s 4-3 win against Tottenham on Sunday.

He was known as a straight talking pundit who clashed often with other studio guests.

He admits that he “owes one hundred apologies to anyone he has offended, or harshly spoken to, during his time on air.”

“I was given an opportunity to do this and it was magnificent,” said Souness as he reflected on his time at Sky Sports. “It has just been the most fantastic time for me.

“I love football, l care about football and l worry about it going forward, but in Sky’s hands it is in good hands, it is in safe hands.”

Sky Sports director of football Gary Hughes said: “We will miss Graeme’s no-nonsense approach in the studio – matched only by his playing style.

“The insight and winning mentality he brought to our viewers as a result of his years’ of experience as both a player and a manager has been invaluable to our coverage. We wish him all the best for the future.”

Via Daily Mail, Souness added: “Football has been very good to me. I played the game for 20 years and crossed over to work for Sky for another 20 years, which has been a fantastic experience.

“Sunday was my last match as part of the Sky team but I look back and think of some of the great players I played our great game with, who finished at the age of 32 or 33. That was the world of football over for them. A second career in television meant a life in the game was still very much there for me.

“The business of going to live matches and working from them in a journalistic capacity has been a privilege. I didn’t always agree with those I shared a studio with but punditry is all about having your view on football and not always agreeing with everyone.

“I made some great friends along the way and one of the reasons I have relished the work so much is that it has got me out of my comfort zone on a regular basis. It was consistently a challenge. That’s the way I like it.

“I have covered some unforgettable matches. There have been few nights to surpass watching Lionel Messi in his pomp at the Nou Camp, putting four past Arsenal in 2010. But there have been few afternoons at Anfield to surpass Liverpool’s 7-0 win over Manchester United this season. And there were few better places to be than Manchester City’s ground when they won the league with Sergio Aguero’s goal and my colleague Martin Tyler’s incomparable commentary in May 2012.

“Great days. They have involved responding quickly to great and dramatic events and I’ve relished that. I have always been comfortable on live TV because it lights a fire under you.

“It meant a lot that my last game for Sky was at Liverpool, the club I hold so dear. I will be 70 on Saturday and I’m still very much open for business. My passion for football is undimmed and I certainly still feel I have a lot to offer.

“My column is in the Daily Mail every Saturday and I look forward to sharing my views and passion for our game there, each week.”

Also announcing for a second time in a year that he was leaving is Jeff Stelling, the much loved Soccer Saturday presenter.

“I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team,” said Jeff. “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!”

Sky Sports Director of Football Gary Hughes commented: “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.”

“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,” Stelling adds. “But this time it is true.”

Fans reacted as Graeme Souness and Jeff Stelling explain their decisions to leave Sky Sports in their tearful goodbye…

@JcThe0riginal: That’s Sky sports done now! Hardly any decent presenters or pundits left. Jeff was the only one left from the days Sky used to be at the forefront of sports presentation and journalism. Quite sad really

@davegurd33: Might as well bin it off now. Jeff was the only reason worth tuning in since they got rid of Tiss, Thommo and Charlie. Surely Jeff has seen that this new lot are as welcome as a fart in a lift.

@laurencecapel: Grown up with Jeff Stelling always being there on a Saturday morning. Weekends were the proper Soccer AM into Soccer Saturday. Absolutely quality era of football on the box. Won’t be the same.

@Cantona_Collars: Jeff Stelling has been absolutely fantastic. The format seems to have gone stale with their new panel so it’s a good time for him to go. Thanks for all the laughs over the years.

@mattf51094404: So sad that your leaving 😢😢 you will be sorely missed and soccer Saturday won’t be the same without you

@RealisticMagpie: And just like that, Soccer Saturday starts it’s journey to the same end as Soccer AM. Jeff Stelling IS Soccer Saturday and the only reason left to watch.

@Richbmtfc: End of an era, a lot of good people have left sky in recent times. Similarly Losing La Liga rights & Champions league rights, this is another big blow to its portfolio. It’s nowhere near as good as it used to be it has to be said 😑😑

@guvpaul1: Sorry to see him leave and I hope they bring in the best person to do it but known sky they will bring in a drag non binary person or something

@KevinChick10: Soccer Saturday’s won’t be the same next season. But you’ve gave us some great memories over decades. At least we’ll see you a few more Saturday’s until the season ends. I wish you good luck in the coming future Jeff 👍👍🏿👍👍🏿

@owczinski: Probably best… I’ve loved watching soccer Saturday for years but the show has been shocking this year, pretty much the same 4 guys on panel every week who just agree with each other, boring. It’s great when Bent, Murray or sherwood are there to shake it up!

@Legendof1983: Sad to see it come to an end but the writing was on the wall when they booted Le Tissier, Thommo & Nicholas. The banter between Jeff & the current panellists isn’t the same & it shows. Interested to see where it goes from here especially since no BT equivalent next season

@d0nkeydr0p: Going to a be massive miss because he understands the game and isn’t afraid to say exactly what he thinks but with gravitas! We don’t need more “yes men” we need people with honest opinions… 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

@RyanWells1509: Chatted absolute nonsense for the last few years and by far the most biased pundit around. Won’t remotely be missed. But nobody coming through is any much better. Sky sports massively on the decline and seemingly aiming at the younger audience.

@MikePearso36: Gutted, the man was a legendary Red, the complete midfielder. Shame he’s gone from the screens, never flinched an argument.

@Emmetthirty: I disagree with Souness more and more over the past few years, perhaps that’s a sign of my age & his, but he was an outstanding pundit, always definite – either definitely right or definitely wrong but never on the fence&he created some brilliant debates, he will be a big miss!!!

@v4ugh4n: Sky are losing some experience at the end of the season, first Soccer Saturday, then Jeff, now Souness. Feels like a changing of the guard there

@HorlockSteven: Great pundit. Unfortunately we all know the calibre of his replacements

@phat_tok: I’m glad Souness finished his time with Sky at a Liverpool game, at Anfield. Liverpool is a special place for him and its a nice end too. Top player and pundit.

@DavidPeddie: Great player and pundit, will be missed. Said it how it is, didn’t lie or gloss over things and cared about the game.

@KarenCundy: Loved him as a player. As a pundit, he was absolutely outstanding. Shoulders above the others. Love that he was with Kelly for his last show.

@TheCockneyTurk: All the best Graeme. Absolutely gentleman and a great pundit. You’ll be missed and all the best for the future

@Coullio: Best of luck for the future Graeme. Throughly enjoyed listening to you for the past 15. Didn’t always agree with you but that’s all part of punditry I guess! 👍

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