Stelling had originally planned to leave at the end of the season
Sky Sports have announced that Jeff Stelling will continue to present Soccer Saturday and remain a part of the team going into next season.
Stelling had initially planned to step down from the programme after 25 years of hosting the famous programme, saying it was and “incredibly difficult decision” to walk away.
But four months later and the well-loved broadcaster has changed his mind as Sky Sports confirmed in a statement on behalf of 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"
Jeff Stelling, the legendary host of Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, will continue to host the show! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/0DOZElsHJD
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 28, 2022
Jeff Stelling on why he agreed to stay on.
It said: “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.
“Jeff Stelling, the legendary host of Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, will continue to host the show!”
In a further post on the company’s website, Stelling explained why he wasn’t quite ready to walk away from the show just yet.
He said: “Sky Sports is my home, and the Soccer Saturday team are a big part of my life.
“I am thrilled to be staying, and excited about moving the show forward and creating more special Saturday afternoons on Sky Sports.”
‘We just can’t get enough of Jeff’
Sky Sports’ managing director, Jonathon Licht also expressed his delight that Stelling had agreed to stay on.
“Football fans everywhere will be delighted that Jeff will continue to host Soccer Saturday,” he said.
“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.”
