Sky Sports shock staff after axing long-running programme loved by Jurgen Klopp amid TV company's restructure, plus why Jobe Bellingham ditched his surname during play-off final victory
Dismay is rife at Sky's studios in Osterley after the surprise decision was taken to axe The Football Show, a popular and long-running programme broadcast every Monday on Sky Sports News.
Respected host Rob Wotton was joined by Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith each week to discuss the major talking points from the weekend just gone.
Warnock and Smith's analysis was always to the point. The trio were joined by former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher for an hour-long section called 'Ref Watch' and the quartet never shied away from looking at controversial decisions.
Jurgen Klopp, when he was Liverpool manager, was a regular viewer and enjoyed the views of 'Mr Dermot'.
But SSN suits have decided to remove this intelligent show, with the thirst to recruit a younger audience leading them to YouTube influencers and fans with big followings.
Many in the building are bewildered by the direction of travel, although Sky insiders insist the changes are aimed at making them more agile and able to concentrate on breaking news stories across platforms.
'Ref Watch' and various other elements of the show are expected to remain in different formats.
Seven reporters and presenters are leaving the channel in the wake of a recent restructure.
Hey, Jobe!
Many viewers will have noticed that Jobe Bellingham, brother of Jude, had his Christian name rather than his surname on the back of his shirt at Wembley. Players can ask for a 'appropriate variation' should they wish at the start of the season.
The Black Cats' number seven's request is thought to have come from a desire to create his own identity away from that of his older brother.
INEOS committed to United
Given what has been a thoroughly underwhelming season, speculation has been rife over whether the interest of the Qatari group which failed to buy Manchester United may have been reignited.
Mail Sport broke the story of Sheikh Jassim's bid, but it is understood that there is currently little appetite for such a move given how the process played out with the Glazer family.
Regardless, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group has no intention of walking away from their minority stake.
Incoming regulator chief impresses
Those in the Royal Box for the Championship play-off on Saturday wondered if it was a cunning, strategic move by EFL bosses to seat incoming football regulator chair David Kogan next to Sharon Brittan.
The Bolton Wanderers chairman has a reputation for making her point and will no doubt have put the incoming official under the spotlight.
While there remain concerns over the process behind the appointment of the former Premier League chief media rights advisor, he impressed some of those in the room.
'He's his own man who gets things done and is not someone who hides behind rules and regs guy,' said an exec from one EFL club.
Flying without a parachute
Sunderland's victory was good news and bad news for the EFL. Good news in that it was a rare promotion from a club not benefiting from parachute payments. Bad news in that it left another that does in the Championship for next season.
Ping-pong politics
Big sports politics are afoot in the imminent World Table Tennis presidential elections. The incumbent is one of only two female world sport presidents and is being challenged by a wealthy Qatari.
Having worked so hard to get a female as his successor for IOC President, it is no surprise that Thomas Bach has just attended the World Table Tennis Championships in Qatar to help lobby for the Swedish president, Petra Sorling.
Bach is understood to have also met with Qatar's Emir, himself an IOC Member. The German may well have asked for his support - reminding him that the host for 2036 Olympic Games is still not yet decided.
All eyes are now on whether the Qatari candidate withdraws from the election.
England IT gaffe
A number of fans of England's men's team were left flummoxed last week when they ordered tickets to watch Thomas Tuchel's side play Andorra, only to be told via email that they had tickets for England women's clash with France.
The situation was put down to an IT glitch and quicky rectified.
Johnson looks to build bridges
James Johnson, who announced he was leaving his role as the head of Football Australia earlier this month, has been appointed CEO at Canadian Soccer Business (CSB) ahead of a crucial year for the World Cup co-host.
CSB was established in 2018 and represents all the commercial partnership and media rights of the Canada Soccer national teams along with the Canadian Premier League.
Johnson has vowed to maximise the opportunities for the Canadian game and has close ties to the CONCACAF region, having worked with the confederation's president, Victor Montagliani, on FIFA's Football Stakeholder Committee in the past.
It is understood Johnson's first call after being appointed at CSB last week was to to Kevin Blue, the CEO and General Secretary of Canada Soccer.
The deal between CSB and Canada Soccer has been the subject of fierce criticism in recent years and the outreach to the federation is a sign of Johnson's determination to build bridges and make the most of the global spotlight that will be on Canada in 2026 and beyond.
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