SKY SPORTS will have the tough task of replacing legendary presenter Jeff Stelling after he announced his plans to quit.
The 68-year-old broadcaster revealed his decision live on air and received rapturous applause from the pundits in the studio and the film crew behind the camera.
His final broadcast – which will no doubt be watched by thousands of long-time fans of Soccer Saturday – will be on May 28, ending his 25 years in the role.
Stelling – who is beloved by footy fans for his over-the-top reactions and way with words – joined Sky back in 1992.
The Hartlepool United superfan intended to leave his role after the end of the 2021/22 campaign but opted to stay on for another season.
Here, SunSport looks at five candidates who could fill his boots.
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1. Laura Woods
Laura Woods would be an excellent choice to replace Stelling, given her current prevalence in the sports world.
Fans love the broadcaster for her quick wit, and she would have no trouble dealing with the programme’s cast pundits such as Tim Sherwood and Paul Merson.
Woodsy is currently working at talkSPORT along with a few other broadcasters but does have previous experience working for Sky.
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2. Micah Richards
The former Manchester City defender is a fan favourite for his sense of humour and he could bring that side of himself to the long-standing show.
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Richards does work with Sky already as well as a number of other broadcasters, which he puts down to rejecting a massive £100,000-per-week contract at City during his career.
Richards could also make some good viewing if he strikes up similar friendships with the show’s current pundits, just like he has done with former Manchester United hardman Roy Keane.
3. Mark Chapman
Mark Chapman would also be a solid choice for Sky Sports to take over the role.
The broadcaster has done a stellar job of hosting Match of the Day 2 as well as stepping in on Match of the Day when needed since 2014.
Chapman also brings a wealth of knowledge from outside of football, having often provided insight into the NFL, golf and snooker.
4. Julian Warren
Julian Warren is a familiar face to sports fans in the UK as he works as a senior presenter on Sky Sports News.
He is also the host of Soccer Special, which would help him ease into the void left by Stelling.
He has already filled in for Stelling on Soccer Saturday and despite having previously admitted to getting “nervous” about the job, he always wants to do the “best job possible”, as he revealed in an interview with Obstructed View.
5. David Jones
Currently, the presenter of Monday Night Football and Super Sunday, David Jones is one of the top hosts at Sky Sports.
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He has already worked alongside the likes of Jamie Carragher, Graeme Souness, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Roy Keane so would be perfectly comfortable alongside the Soccer Saturday cast.
Plus his Saturdays are already free with his current regular work schedule.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
