SOCCER SATURDAY’S new pundits are set for live auditions on Sky Sports.
As revealed by SunSport, the broadcaster decided to sack Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson.
Sky Sports are preparing to conduct live auditions to work out who will replace Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie NicholasCredit: Sky
The trio joined Jeff Sterling on our telly boxes for almost 50 years combined before the shock bombshell announcement to get rid.
Now, as reported by the Daily Mail, Sky are preparing to decide on the new regular line-up with live shows to give potential candidates a shot.
That will start with a shortened version of the show today to cover the Carabao Cup matches.
Paul Merson, Danny Gabbidon, Clinton Morrison, Jamie Mackie and Paul Cook are the pundits chosen for the first Soccer Saturday of the season.
Merson, Morrison and Glen Johnson are among the favourites to land a permanent spot in the Soccer Saturday squad.
Man-at-the-ground and funnyman Chris Kamara’s live updates from matches may also be a thing of the past with the former Bradford boss potentially being brought into the studio.
Stelling will be back in his familiar role – although the popular host suggested he may walk away after 25 years of relentless facts and fun.
Confirming their decision for the shake-up as they consider a more diverse team, Sky told SunSport: “We are changing some parts of our football coverage.
The Soccer Saturday team are keen to add diversity to the line-up after years of white, middle-aged menCredit: Sky
Jeff Stelling is ready to host his first show of the season but has not decided whether he will stay on yetCredit: Dan Jones – The Sun
“Matt, Charlie and Phil have done a great job for us over the years, and they will leave us with our sincere thanks and very best wishes.”
Stelling appeared gutted by the news, writing on Twitter in reply to Le Tissier: “One of my saddest days ever at Sky Sports with the departure of three of my best mates. They have been part of a team that for me was the best.”
Le Tiss sparked a Twitter storm this week after referencing Anne Frank in an apparent defence of people who do not wear face masks.
He retweeted a photo of the Holocaust victim with the caption “Remember this”.
The image said: “The people who hid Anne Frank were breaking the law. The people who killed her were following it.”
The ex-Southampton star has been outspoken in his belief that face masks should not be mandatory.
Following a heavy backlash, Le Tissier later deleted the post and issued an apology.
He said: “Apologies for the recent tweet. Obviously taken out of context so I’ve deleted it so there’s no confusion.”
Arsenal legend Ian Wright responds to ‘racists’ blaming black pundits for Sky’s Soccer Saturday sackings
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
