Jamie Carragher has paid a glowing tribute to Jeff Stelling after the much-loved Sky Sports Soccer Saturday host announced he is stepping down from his role.
Stelling has featured on the weekly show for over 25 years and will leave the broadcaster at the end of the current season.
The 66-year-old is an acclaimed presenter and he has won numerous broadcasting awards since joining Sky Sports in 1992.
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His departure from Soccer Saturday in May 2022 will leave a big void and Carragher, who works for the company as a pundit, sent a touching message upon seeing the update about Stelling's future.
Responding to a tweet confirming the news, the former Liverpool and England defender wrote: "And what a job he's done @JeffStelling", adding applause emojis.
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Stelling announced his decision saying he had reached the "incredibly difficult decision that this will be my last season".
He added: "This is my decision. There has been no pressure. Sky have been absolutely brilliant with me, as they always have done. I am not intending to retire but it is time to let somebody else have a go at what is the best job in the world.
"I wouldn’t want to get to the stage where I’m calling Raith Rovers 'Roth Ravers'. I’m going to be here until May, when I’ll be leaving the show and the company."
Stelling's heartfelt on-air announcement on 30 October's edition of Soccer Saturday was met with a standing ovation from the panel of pundits.
A written statement accompanied the on-air bombshell, with Stelling writing: "I have loved every moment of my 30 years with Sky, but like every Saturday afternoon the time eventually comes to blow the final whistle.
"I am proud to have been part of such a winning team for so long and look forward to the many more special moments on Soccer Saturday for rest of this season - and perhaps even another promotion push from Hartlepool United."
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Stelling, Hartlepool United's club president, also received a touching message from Sky Sports managing director Jonathan Licht.
"Jeff is a true broadcasting legend and has been a big part of Sky Sports growth and popularity over the last 30 years," said Licht.
"Jeff’s pure passion and dedication to the game has set him apart and made Soccer Saturday a fixture for millions of fans every Saturday afternoon.
"The goals, the laughs, the red cards and the missed red cards have helped create one of the most popular TV shows in sport and Jeff has been the centrepiece of that."
