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Sky Sports announce U-turn on Jeff Stelling’s planned departure

Sky Sports announce a surprise U-turn on Jeff Stelling’s planned departure, which he confirmed for the end of the 2021/22 season.

The Hartlepool supporter had said in October this would be his final season hosting Soccer Saturday, after 30 years at Sky, however, he has decided to stay on as host for at least the 2022/23 season.

It comes just weeks after reports claimed that Sky wanted Mark Chapman to replace Jeff Stelling as host of their Soccer Saturday programme.

“Sky Sports is my home, and the Soccer Saturday team are a big part of my life,” said Stelling. “As the end of the season approached, and I was preparing to say goodbye, I realised that I was not ready to blow the final whistle and leave the best job in the world.

“I am thrilled to be staying, and excited about moving the show forward and creating more special Saturday afternoons on Sky Sports.”

Jonathan Licht, Managing Director of Sky Sports said: “Football fans everywhere will be delighted that Jeff will continue to host Soccer Saturday.

“He is a massive part of Saturday afternoon life and everyone at Sky Sports shares the joy this news will bring.

“We just can’t get enough of Jeff, and can’t wait to bring more of his broadcasting magic to our viewers.”

Last year, Jeff made his announcement live on air, saying: “I have come to the incredibly difficult decision that this will be my last season,” said Jeff.

“This is my decision – there has been no pressure. Sky have been absolutely brilliant with me, as they always have been.

“I am not intending to retire but it is time to let somebody else have a go at what is the best job in the world.”

“I have loved every moment of my 30 years with Sky, but like every Saturday afternoon the time eventually comes to blow the final whistle,” added Jeff. “I am proud to have been part of such a winning team for so long and look forward to the many more special moments on Soccer Saturday for the rest of this season – and perhaps even another promotion push from Hartlepool United.”

Jonathan Licht, the Managing Director of Sky Sports, added: “Jeff is a true broadcasting legend and has been a big part of Sky Sports’ growth and popularity over the last 30 years. Jeff’s pure passion and dedication to the game has set him apart and made Soccer Saturday a fixture for millions of fans every Saturday afternoon. The goals, the laughs, the red cards and the missed red cards have helped create one of the most popular TV shows in sport and Jeff has been the centrepiece of that.

“Jeff will be sorely missed, but we are delighted that he will leading the team through to the end of the season. There will rightly be many tributes to Jeff, and Sky Sports will be giving him the great send off in May that his remarkable and enduring contribution deserves.”

Twitter users reacted as Sky Sports announce a U-turn on Jeff Stelling’s planned departure…

@MoeFutbol: Must have got one heck of a pay rise

@JimmyWatt19: Brilliant but PLEASE get rid of the rest… bring back the old team.

@SaeedTV_: Brilliant 👏🏿

@BluFoxx:
Jeff Stelling ‘I am leaving Soccer Saturday’
Sky Sports ‘Jeff, let’s add another couple of zeros to your pay packet’
Jeff, ‘I am stopping on’

@NarelleEdwards: That’s amazing. My dad will be so pleased. He’s just come out of a coma after a month in ICU due to a cardiac arrest. We are testing his memory and my mum asked him who he likes watching at 3pm on a Saturday and he said Jeff Stelling ❤️we will tell him😊

@AlanBeeskegness: @JeffStelling Glad to read your staying on at Soc Sat….wouldn’t be same without you.

@IanLaurence10: He’s seen his pension pot nosedive over the last few months and so needs an extra year or two at sky I guess 😊

@FFDynastyGrill: Jeff Stelling and Tom Brady both realised they weren’t done. What a fantastic time to be alive 😍🙏

@STFC_Carl: Speaking for every football fan surely @JeffStelling. Thankyou for staying another season #STFC #Soccersaturday

@PicardyBreezer: Really good news. As much as I rarely get to watch the shows live, @JeffStelling is simply iconic and looking back some of the highlight footage has made for incredible viewing over the years. It’s pleasing that he’s staying on for that bit longer.

@carpetncfc: @JeffStelling thankyou so much for deciding to do at least one more season! We love our saturdays listening to you and your colleagues while ticking off our acca goals! Best news in a long time!! #thankyou #mrskysports

@DanMcMahonF1: In all seriousness, I’m pleased about this. Jeff Stelling does his job amazingly well. Always says the right things and from a personal perspective, he always speaks well about #NUFC

@GillyClarke25: Failed to get Mark Chapman from BBC and were forced into giving Jeff Stelling a huge pay rise is my guess

@MartinMakepeace: @JeffStelling extending his contract at @SkySports is the best news of the day. Way more important than a couple of multimillionaires throwing handbags (no disrespect if you’re a legit handbag thrower – it’s a minefield out there!)

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