MATT LE TISSIER has been kicked off Sky Sports along with Soccer Saturday pals Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson.
The three long-serving football experts were given the boot on Tuesday in a remarkable move by the TV company who have been slashing staff numbers.
The popular trio will be sorely missed by the millions of armchair football fansCredit: Sky
Confirming his dismissal, Le Tissier wrote on Twitter: “Enjoyed my time at Sky Sports, time to look forward to life’s next challenge, thank you for the support down the years and special thanks to the backroom team which include @CazzaEccles @CarlyBassett @tvtrevstats amongst many others, good luck all have a lovely day.”
The former Southampton superstar and England ace, 51, was a hugely popular member of Jeff Stelling’s Saturday team.
And “Le God” formed a brilliant relationship with Liverpool’s former captain and assistant manager Thommo, 66, and ex-Celtic and Arsenal star Nicholas, 58.
The three men clocked close to 50 years service between them with Sky and will be greatly missed by the millions of armchair football fans who tuned into the long-running Gillette Soccer Saturday show.
Midfield magician Le Tissier spent all his professional career with the Saints and it was one of football’s biggest mysteries why he only won eight England caps.
He hung up his boots in 2003 before joining Sky’s punditry panel shortly after.
Former Reds skipper and England star Thompson won 16 major titles with his beloved Liverpool including seven First Division titles, three European Cup, one FA Cup and two League Cup successes.
In 2001 Thommo was praised by his fellow football pundit Tony Cottee for saving his life when the Liverpool hero paid for a doctor to examine his colleague before he suffered a brain haemorrhage.
After leaving his role as Gerard Houllier’s assistant at Liverpool in 2004, Thompson joined the Sky Sports team.
Scotland striker Nicholas secured two Premier League honours and one League Cup for Glasgow giants Celtic and one League Cup with the Gunners.
The 58-year-old’s playing career came to an end in 1996 before he turned to punditry.
The three presenters have been axed by Sky SportsCredit: Sky Sports
Charlie Nicholas pictured in 2003 working for Sky
Le Tissier reports on a major moment in 2008
Thompson has also been a regular for over a decade, and is pictured here in 2008
Le Tissier had it written into his Sky contract that he didn’t have to wear a tie for the weekend and mid-week television shows.
He recently caused a stir on social media for wearing a Black Lives Matter badge on the programme after suggesting to his half-a-million Twitter followers that he was against the idea.
Le Tissier also declared he was taking a break from social media earlier this month when he was attacked by online trolls calling for him to be sacked by Sky.
The trolls turned on the football pundit for criticising the government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
Family man Le Tissier lashed out at his online critics for trying to “ruin my life” and get me “sacked” before taking a break from Twitter.
He wrote at the time: “You trolls and bots out there who try to belittle me with your snide remarks trying to make out I’m some uncaring individual who has no empathy.
“You can’t be further from the truth and I feel incredibly sorry for you that there is so little joy in your life, you resort to this.”
The trio were regulars on Gillette Soccer SaturdayCredit: Sky
Matt Le Tissier was recently slated for his controversial views on coronavirusCredit: Sky Sports
Former Arsenal star Charlie Nicholas has been given his marching ordersCredit: Sky Sports
Phil Thompson played for Liverpool and Sheffield United during his careerCredit: Sky Sports
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
