Sacked Soccer Saturday pundits and truth behind six departures at Sky Sports

Wales Online

02-05-2025

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Soccer Saturday was once a staple of many football fans' weekend itinerary before significant changes were made to its punditry line-up.
The Sky Sports show delivered countless memorable moments at its peak. The quartet of Phil Thompson, Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Paul Merson offered unmissable entertainment with their analysis, humorous quips and occasional live TV blunders.
With the legendary presenter Jeff Stelling at the helm, Soccer Saturday was the envy of other sports shows due to the unique rapport between its pundits - not to mention the reporters who would interject with goal updates from across the UK.
However, the programme today is vastly different from a decade ago after broadcaster Sky instigated several shake-ups by letting go long-standing pundits, with the most ruthless cull occurring prior to the 2020/21 season. We examine why Sky Sports decided to dismiss many of its favourite pundits...
Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas and Matt Le Tissier
Thompson was the first of the Soccer Saturday icons to be informed he was being let go in August 2020, followed closely by Nicholas and Le Tissier. Sky's head of football arranged a meeting with the Liverpool legend, then 66, who was told the broadcaster was moving in a new direction.
"They wanted to do it sensitively rather than one day you're gone," Thompson told the Daily Mail. However, the former defender didn't hide his disappointment when Sky informed him that his services were no longer needed after a 22-year stint.
"It became a way of life, so taking that away... I miss it. We were a band of brothers," he said.
(Image: Sky Sports)
Arsenal legend Nicholas had a meeting scheduled an hour after Thompson's for the same reason, while Le Tissier met the same fate.
Sky's official position on the changes was: "We are changing some parts of our football coverage 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."
Thompson, being the oldest of the three, felt the others should have stayed, adding: "It was three parts of a midfield. The others could have continued."
Sky's decision at the height of the pandemic could have been both financially driven and a response to calls for more diversity on its programmes.
Le Tissier was "hit the hardest" due to his relatively younger age, according to long-time colleague Stelling.
Meanwhile, BBC pundit Ian Wright responded to the backlash on social media by saying: "Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson, they've had an unbelievable run, it's been a great show. This happens to everyone in the industry. This is Sky's decision to evolve the show."
Tony Cottee
Tony Cottee parted ways with Soccer Saturday after the 2020/21 season. The ex-West Ham, Everton and Leicester ace was a regular during the show's golden years but, as the show's popularity dwindled, Sky Sports decided to axe him and move in a new direction.
Reflecting on his exit during the Under the Cosh podcast, he said: "I had 20 great years there and I look back and I don't like the way it ended. It was their choice more than my choice. I wanted to carry on being part of the show, obviously Soccer Saturday.
"But I also look back and think I had 20 wonderful years. Some of the characters - Jeff Stelling's an amazing presenter. Then you think of the Kammy's (Chris Kamara) and the McInally's (Alan McInally), and then the lads who were on the panel. Merse, Le Tiss, Charlie, Thommo. Just wonderful characters."
(Image: Sky Sports)
Rodney Marsh
Rodney Marsh became known for his candid commentary. The ex-Manchester City player once famously lost his hair on a bet after dismissing Bradford City's chances in a relegation battle.
However, Marsh's tenure on the show ended abruptly when he made an inappropriate joke concerning the catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Despite issuing an apology, he was dismissed.
Post-Sky, Marsh took part in 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here' in 2007 and has appeared on various other programmes. Now at 79, he continues to share his football insights on Sirius XM.
(Image: Sky)
Bianca Westwood
Westwood parted ways with Sky Sports in August 2023 after a 22-year stint. As part of a sweeping overhaul, fellow respected colleagues such as Dickie Davis, Guy Havord, Greg Whelan, Lynsey Hooper and Jaydee Dyer also bid farewell to their roles, a move believed to be driven by budgetary constraints at the network.
Transitioning to talkSPORT, Westwood expressed her sentiments on Instagram: "A bit like when I did my first match report, I didn't want to make a fuss but I've had SO many messages and questions about where I'll be today I thought I might as well let you know.
(Image: Bianca Westwood/Youtube)
"I haven't quite made enough money to retire unfortunately, but I am retiring from Sky Sports and Soccer Saturday. It's been a phenomenal 22 and a half years and I've been a small part of building the channel into the giant of broadcasting it is today. What a ride!
"Being the first female match reporter on Soccer Saturday is something I'm immensely proud of and that can never be taken away from me. I've covered hundreds and hundreds of games, I've interviewed hundreds of players and managers."