Sky Sports has confirmed that regular pundit Graeme Souness is standing down from his role.
The Liverpool legend has featured as an analyst for the broadcaster for over 15 years but will leave at the end of his contract. Regular Sky Sports host Kelly Cates confirmed the news on Sunday following Liverpool's dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham as the fiery former manager held back tears in the studio.
A montage was played of the Scotsman's best clips throughout the years before he was treated to an impromptu round of applause by the team working on the show including Cates, Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Keane.
Speaking about the decision, a tearful Souness said: “I’m going to miss you guys, the guys behind the scenes, our make-up girl, I’ll miss you all. You know, for me, I decided that football management wasn’t for me any more. I had the wrong temperament for it, the wrong personality.
“And then I was given the opportunity to do this and it’s been magnificent. It’s just been the most fantastic time for me, because I love football, I care about football and I worry about it going forward.
“But in Sky’s hands it’s in good hands, safe hands, and I think over the years we’ve created a Premier League with great detail and I think we look after football very well.”
He added: “But for me personally, I’ve got the buzz of live football coming to some fantastic games and some fantastic stadiums and some great events. I think I owe 100 apologies to people, but we haven’t got time for that.
Join the debate! What is your favourite Souness memory from his Sky Sports stint? Let us know here.
“I think people at home obviously don’t always agree with us, but it’s been great guys it really has. And it’s great right now to be amongst friends and nothing goes on forever, but I’ve got a lot of things coming up, I’m involved in my DEBRA charity and on the 27th of this month I’ll announce the challenge I’m getting involved in.
“But it’s been great so thank you to everyone.”
Redknapp then chimed in as Souness got emotional. He said: “On behalf of everyone at Sky Sports, you were a legend as a player and for me, you gave me my start and just to be working with you every day, coming to work with your enthusiasm and love for the game… you were a great player, great manager and a great pundit.
“It’s been a pleasure. You probably should have sat on the fence a bit more!”
And Cates, after an on-air hug, added: “From the days of you pushing me around Liverpool in my pram to sitting here tonight - if you ever need anyone to return the favour, you know where I am.”
Jamie Carragher led the tributes to the Scot, taking to social media to declare: “Graeme Souness was one of the greatest players this country has ever seen, the same goes for him as a pundit!
“I’ve never seen anyone else have his authority in a studio, you’ll be missed Souey.”
