Jeff Stelling quits Soccer Saturday

Jeff Stelling is leaving 'Soccer Saturday'.

The 68-year-old broadcaster has presented Sky Sports' weekly football show for 25 years but confirmed on the show on Saturday (29.04.23) he will be hanging up his microphone at the end of the season.

Jeff - whose announcement was greeted by applause from the pundits on the panel - later said in a statement: “I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team.

“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 paid tribute to the former 'Countdown' presenter.

Sky Sports’ director of football, Gary Hughes, said: “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.”

Jeff had announced in October 2021 he would be leaving the show, but later agreed to stay on for the 2022/23 season.

He originally said on air: "This is my decision. There has been no pressure. Sky have been absolutely brilliant with me, as they always have done. 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 wouldn’t want to get to the stage where I’m calling Raith Rovers ‘Roath Ravers’. I’m going to be here until May, when I’ll be leaving the show and the company."

But less than six months later, he confirmed he had changed his mind.

He said: "Sky Sports is my home, and the 'Soccer Saturday' team are a big part of my life.

"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."