JEFF STELLING is considering quitting Soccer Saturday after “best mates” Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas were sacked, according to reports.
The long-serving trio were all given the boot by Sky Sports earlier this week as part of an aggressive cost-cutting measure.
And now Soccer Saturday legend Stelling could walk away from the iconic show after 25 years, according to the Daily Mail.
Stelling is said to have been left shocked by Sky’s move to axe the men he called his “best mates”.
Le Tissier, Thompson and Nicholas all had one more year to run on their current contracts.
And after the news of their sacking, Stelling tweeted: “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.”
Stelling has already worked through two regular panels now – with George Best, Rodney Marsh and Clive Allen coming before the most-recent group.
And reports claim Stelling is now considering whether he has the hunger to forge yet another strong on-screen partnership.
Of the five-man panel of regulars, only Stelling and Paul Merson appear to have retained their position, although the latter’s role is currently unclear.
However, Stelling is likely to at least begin the season, with the Mail claiming the presenter has a lengthy notice period weaved into his contract.
While the axed threesome’s replacements are yet to be named, reports claim Sky Sports are aware of the need for more diversity on the Soccer Saturday panel.
Micah Richards – who impressed as a pundit for Sky Sports last season – BBC Sport regular Alex Scott and talkSPORT star Laura Woods are all rumoured to be in the running for positions in the new-look Sky team.
Scott Minto is another Sky Sports star to have been axed this week, with the Football League pundit shown the door after 13 years of service.
