Jeff Stelling didn't hold back with telling message after Soccer Saturday sackings

Rare is it that Jeff Stelling finds himself lost for words, but the TV legend couldn't believe news of Soccer Saturday's mass sackings.

The Sky Sports icon was en route to a recording session in August 2020 when his car suffered a puncture, and he was informed numerous of his friends would be let go. He was awaiting a mechanic when word came down that the team was to be refreshed as a cost-cutting measure, comparing the cull to Manchester City selling off their most prized assets.

The 69-year-old recounted the episode felt "like an out-of-body experience" as Sky Sports' head of football, Gary Hughes, confirmed their plans to part ways with the list of veterans. Stelling explained in his new autobiography, Saturday Afternoon Fever, how he and colleague Paul Merson were the only elder statesmen spared in the culling.

One by one, the likes of Phil Thompson, Matt Le Tissier and Charlie Nicholas contacted Stelling to confirm they had indeed been fired. Hughes called Stelling directly to force home the point those calling the shots at Sky decided it was the "right time for change," but the presenter went to bat for his long-time panel companions.

"‘How can it be the right time?’ I blurted out. ‘The season gets underway in a couple of weeks and you have sacked three of our team. It’s like Man City selling [Kevin] De Bruyne, [Ilkay] Gundogan and [Bernardo] Silva two weeks before kick-off, their entire midfield, their engine room. And we have no one to replace them with.’

"Gary insisted it was the right time and that they had people who could step into the biggest of broadcasting shoes and proceeded to reel off a list of people. After each name I made a quickfire judgement. ‘No good.’ ‘Terminally dull.’ ‘Doesn’t even like football.’ ‘Oh, for f***’s sake.’ That gives you the general tone.

"I was devastated and as Gary listed the names of potential replacements, I knew I had a decision to make too about my future. Matt Roberts, the Soccer Saturday producer, rang. He had just been told of the blood-letting and was equally shocked. He was the man who had to rebuild the team – and quickly. Even Sir Alex [Ferguson] would have struggled."

The old crew remain fond friends today
(Image: @chris_kammy/Twitter)

The likes of Clinton Morrison, Michael Dawson and Tim Sherwood went from cameo appearances on Soccer Saturday to staple panellists. Sky hoped to appeal to a younger audience by drafting in a crew of younger faces as pundits, though Stelling doubted that tactic from the off.

It would be another three years before the legendary host himself would step down, first signalling his intent to leave by 2022 before signing on for another season. The 29-year stalwart wrote "many tears had been shed" while he pondered his future behind the desk, only to conclude it was also time for him to pack it in.

Only Paul Merson remains of the old punditry panel
(Image: @SkyFootball/Twitter)

A phone call with Sky Sports managing director Rob Webster eventually convinced Stelling to reverse his decision. But the loss of Stelling's friends from the line-up clearly had an effect on the esteemed anchor.

"Hand on heart, I cannot remember who was on the panel that day," wrote Stelling while describing the first Soccer Saturday of the new season after he agreed to return surrounded by fresh faces. "I only knew it was not the people I wanted alongside me."

While Soccer Saturday has maintained its place in the scheduled with the impressive Simon Thomas at the helm, Stelling has since moved on to pastures new. The esteemed presenter now hosts a show on talkSPORT and will once again be touring UK theatres in 2025.

Saturday Afternoon Fever by Jeff Stelling is on sale now (Headline, £22).

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