Disillusioned Stelling could quit Sky’s Soccer Saturday

JEFF STELLING is considering quitting as presenter of Sky Sports’

Soccer Saturday programme, disillusioned by the surprise sacking of long-serving pundits Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas this week.

Stelling, 65, described their sudden dismissal as one of the saddest days of his career and it’s understood to have given him cause to reflect on his own future after 25 years presenting the popular show.

Stelling was stunned to be told of Sky’s decision to axe the trio, which came out of the blue as all three had one year left on their contracts.

They are the second regular punditry team with whom Stelling has worked after the original line-up of George Best, Rodney Marsh and Clive Allen was dismantled by Sky. The presenter is weighing up whether he has the appetite to try to forge a similarly strong working relationship with a new team. Paul Merson has been retained on

Soccer Saturday and his position is unclear. Stelling’s contract is understood to contain a lengthy notice period, so he may start the season presenting the show unless he reaches an agreement with Sky Sports.

While Sky have yet to line up any replacements, they are conscious of the need to increase diversity among their roster of pundits.

Micah Richards and Alex Scott have emerged as rising stars over the past few years, while Sportsmail has learned that talkSPORT presenter Laura Woods has been earmarked to become the face of Sky’s Carabao Cup coverage after impressing when presenting several matches last season.

There was another notable departure from Sky yesterday when former Chelsea defender Scott Minto, who has presented coverage of the EFL, Spanish football and the Carabao Cup, was dismissed after 13 years with the broadcaster.