PAUL MERSON reportedly considered quitting Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday amid his colleagues’ sackings.
The former Arsenal and Aston Villa midfielder is the last man standing from the show’s headline quartet of lead pundits.
On Wednesday, the exits of Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson were revealed by SunSport.
Host Jeff Stelling will remain in the host’s chair but expressed his dismay at losing his long-term colleagues.
According to The Times, Merson, 52, considered calling it a day after hearing that he had kept his job.
But he is now expected to remain on the show ahead of a fresh line-up being announced.
It is said that Le Tissier, Nicholas and Thompson were told on Monday via individual Zoom calls that they were being let go despite having nine months left on their Sky Sports contracts.
Fellow Sky presenter Scott Minto, who hosted the channel’s EFL coverage, confirmed his exit after 13 years on Thursday.
Southampton legend Le Tissier said it was “time to look forward to the next challenge” after his sacking.
The former midfielder has attracted controversy for his somewhat dismissive views of the coronavirus pandemic in recent months although Sky stated the decision was part of plans to “change some parts of [its] football coverage”.
It has been reported that Sky want to diversify their line-up, with the trio all white and aged between 51 and 66, and Ian Wright took to Twitter to slam “racists” who blamed black pundits for the decision.
He lamented in a short video: “Can someone answer me this: what does Micah Richards, Alex Scott, Sol Campbell, Clinton Morrison or any other black pundit have to do with Sky’s decision to get rid of these guys?
“All because three middle-aged white guys got the sack… I kiss my teeth.
“Why are people upset? Alex Scott, for me, is easily one of the best-prepared pundits out there. Easily. Micah Richards is the most exciting pundit to hit the scene in years.
“Keep their names out of your stinking unbrushed-teeth mouths.”
Le Tissier agreed that “racism should be left out of this completely” – adding that he thought he did a “decent job”.
Stelling expressed his sadness at his colleagues’ exits, writing online: “One of my saddest days ever at Sky Sports with the departure of three of my best mates. They have been part of a team that for me was the best.”
Phil Thompson tweeted: “I’ve had a great 22 years with Sky Sports.
“Enjoyed every minute with some amazing people on the show and behind the scenes which made it the iconic show it is today. Good luck to Sky, Jeff, Merse and the new gang on Soccer Saturday.”
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