Why is Jeff Stelling leaving Sky Sports? Soccer Saturday legend will be leaving the show at the end of the 2021/22 season.
Ever since Jeff Stelling announced he is leaving Sky Sports, made people wonder about his next destination. For over 30 years, Jeff worked with Sky Sports and suddenly is months ways from leaving the network.
For Sky network, he has been hosting the Soccer Saturday since 1994 and even covered the Champions League between 2011 and 2015 for Sky Sports.
From 2009 to 2011, the 66-year-old presented Channel 4’s quiz show Countdown and ITV’s game show Alphabetical from 2016 to 2017.
The legendary broadcasting career began in the 1970s with Radio Tees as a reporter on Middlesbrough F.C.
Why Is Jeff Stelling Leaving Sky Sports?
Jeff Stelling did not provide an exact reason for leaving Sky Sports. However, people claimed, his departure might be the untimely and sudden sacking of his three co-hosts on the Soccer Saturday last year.
Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson, and Matt Le Tissier, the three co-hosts of Saturday Soccer show were axed by Sky Sports last year.
To date, the reason for the all-white male panel dismantling has remained a mystery as the network never disclosed the reasoning of their decision, but according to thetime, it might have been due to make way for Sky’s diversity policies.
So, therefore, the exact reason for Stelling remains a mystery as of now.
What Happened To Jeff Stelling?
As mentioned above, we are not aware of what happened to Jeff Stelling and why suddenly, after working for Sky Sports for over 30 years, he decided to leave the show and the network in its entirety.
As per the rumors, Jeff might have felt compelled to leave the show, to show his loyalty and solidarity to Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson, and Matt Le Tissier.
According to one of the insiders, he said, “Phil, Charlie, and Matt were not just colleagues they were mates, and that means a huge amount to him. Jeff is believed to have thought of little else other than of leaving since then.”
Jeff Stelling Is Not leaving Due To Illness
As per our research, Jeff Stelling is not suffering from any illness. The 66-year-old is perfectly fine and healthy.
People over the internet might have stated the rumors of his ill health as he is about to leave the show. However, it is false.
?TODAY IS THE DAY!
Breaking records from the get go, @chris_kammy doesn’t exactly get along with the 1979 Aston Martin.
Next time we’re giving you a bicycle! ?♂️Sorry @JeffStelling, it will be a bit of a squeeze, but it’s for your own safety!
?Tune in at 7pm on BBC Two! pic.twitter.com/9JLOeWOX3l
— Antiques Road Trip (@AntiqueRoadTrip) November 16, 2021
Although the exact reason behind his decision to leave Sky Sports is unknown, however, we’re sure it is not due to his health.
Who Is Replacing Jeff Stelling?
Sky Sports has not announced who will be replacing Jeff Stelling. Jeff will be on the network for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.
People are about to see new faces on Soccer Saturday once Stelling leaves the show. The latest addition cast members might be taking into consideration of diversity policies.
After spending over 30 years on the Sky network, in late October, during the on-air of Soccer Saturday, Jeff shocked the fans with his sudden announcement of leaving the show and the Sky Sports.
However, the 66-year-old is not retiring but just leaving the network.