The father and son duo of Ian Wright and Shaun Wright-Phillips will break a new barrier when they team up on Match of the Day this Saturday.
Wright, 59, has become a permanent fixture on the programme, despite his recent boycott over what he perceived as unfair treatment by the BBC towards presenter Gary Lineker. In 2022, the former Arsenal striker was crowned the TV/Radio Pundit of the Year by the Football Supporters' Association for a second time.
Alan Shearer is his usual punditry partner alongside Lineker, but this week he'll sit alongside a figure even more familiar to him. Wright and Wright-Phillips, 41, will become the first ever father and son partnership to be employed by the programme on the same show.
A BBC statement confirmed the ground-breaking decision: "Ian Wright and Shaun Wright-Phillips will become the first father and son punditry team to appear on Match of the Day on Saturday," it read.
"Arsenal legend Wright, a regular pundit on the show, will be joined by son Wright-Phillips, who had two spells with Manchester City. The pair will join Gary Lineker in the studio to review highlights from Saturday's Premier League fixtures."
The pair have become renowned for publicly jesting each other on social media, none more so that when City beat Arsenal 4-1 in a pivotal title race fixture last month. Wright-Phillips, who actually won a title of his own when at Chelsea, tweeted: "Hi @IanWright how's things? Just checking… Hope you're okay, dad."
Wright responded after being goaded by Lineker following the highlights being shown on Match of the Day: "He's so annoying!" he said of his son. "I taught him how to wee this boy… he still can't reach the toilet now!"
At least there is now chance of them feuding over their respective teams of Saturday, with City travelling Everton on Sunday. Arsenal's game follows straight after their title rivals, a home match with Brighton.
The footballing family legacy doesn't end with Saturday's new duo though, with Wright's other son - Bradley Wright-Phillips - also playing in the Premier League. Whilst he didn't enjoy the same success as Shaun in England, he was a revelation in America - a two-time MLS Golden Boot winner and the current New York Red Bulls record holder for most goals scored.
