Weekends will look very different next season after Jeff Stelling announced he will step down as the host of Soccer Saturday.
The Sky Sports programme has become a footballing institution, with Stelling expertly anchoring the show for more than 25 years. But after U-turning on his decision to leave 12 months ago, the 68-year-old confirmed the final few weeks of this campaign would be his swansong.
“It is Groundhog Day, that time of the year when I announce that I am leaving Sky Sports and Gillette Soccer Saturday,” Stelling said last week. “This time it is true. After 30 fantastic years on Sky, you lot out there have supported me, as have Sky, but it’s time to give you a break from all the VAR rants and bad gags and over the top celebrations when Hartlepool score a goal and give someone else the chance to do this fantastic job.
“So I’ll be leaving on May 28th, we’ve got a few programs between now and then, this is the last six hour Saturday Gillette Soccer Saturday… so we’d better get on with it!”
Stelling’s departure will mark the official end of an era after long-time pundits including Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas were recently moved on. And so whoever replaces the broadcasting icon, while having huge shoes to fill, will have the chance to make the show their own.
Mirror Sport takes a look at some of the names in the frame for one of football broadcasting’s most coveted positions.
Julian Warren
Unquestionably the safest appointment Sky could make, Julian Warren has huge experience standing in for Stelling.
He is often the man in the presenter’s chair when the main host is off and would take no time to settle in the role on a full-time basis.
It is understood that Warren was one of three contenders to audition for the role when Stelling first said he would leave in 2022. An experienced hand presenting live coverage, Warren would be a risk-free choice to take on the position moving forward.
Adam Smith
Known mainly for his time working with Soccer AM, ‘Smithy’ has worked his way through the ranks at Sky to put himself in position for one of their top jobs. The Sun report that Smith is the frontrunner for the position after blowing away execs in a screen test last year.
There is said to be a number of people behind the scenes that are pushing for his appointment, despite being lesser known than some of the other candidates.
Mark Chapman
The third name reported to have interviewed for the role last year, Chapman is one of the most respected TV hosts in the game.
The Match of the Day 2 host is expected to be in the frame to replace Gary Lineker on the Saturday night show, if and when that position becomes available.
Chapman has become a more prominent figure on Sky Sports’ football coverage this season, anchoring Carabao Cup matches. At the time, Gary Hughes, Director of Football with the broadcaster said: “Mark will bring a wealth of football knowledge and broadcasting experience to Sky.”
David Jones
Jones has already earned one of Sky’s biggest jobs, presenting the always excellent Monday Night Football and Super Sunday. A stalwart at Sky, Jones is often the middle man in the absorbing debates between Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.
That means a switch to the Saturday afternoon staple would come as somewhat of a surprise, and add to an already packed schedule.
But if Sky wants to guarantee themselves a sure-fire winner, they could turn to arguably their most trusted anchor.
Michelle Owen
Owen is already a favourite on Soccer Saturday, going up and down the country and reporting back to Stelling and co.in the studio. But her responsibilities have increased with Sky having recently fronted their live coverage of the Papa John’s Trophy final from Wembley.
She is also regularly handed the reins for EFL matches and is a rising name in the ranks. Her natural rapport with Stelling also shows she wouldn’t struggle with the more irreverent parts of Soccer Saturday which have made it such an iconic part of the media landscape.
Hayley McQueen
Already Sky Sports News’ longest serving news anchor, McQueen is a natural presenter of live sporting coverage.
As well as being a familiar face on their news channel, she also presents Scottish Premiership and Cup matches and has hosted the Premier League highlights show, Match Choice.
Her father, former Leeds and Man Utd defender Gordon McQueen, also has plenty of experience on the show, working alongside Stelling in the studio for a number of years.
