Soccer Saturday's axed legends and what they're doing now after major shake-up

Soccer Saturday has long been a weekly tradition for football fans, but the programme has seen significant changes as of late.

The incredibly popular Sky Sports show has provided fans with countless memorable moments over the years, propelling figures like Jeff Stelling, Chris Kamara, Phil Thompson, Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Paul Merson to broadcasting fame. Since its launch in 1998, Soccer Saturday has remained an integral part of many supporters' weekend routines.

However, ahead of the 2020/21 season, major changes were made to the line-up, with long-serving analysts Thompson, Nicholas and Le Tissier all being let go. Former host Stelling announced his plan to step down at the end of the following campaign, but continued as presenter until 2023.

Kamara, meanwhile, opted to leave a year earlier. Here, we take a look at the former Soccer Saturday cast and what they've been doing since leaving the show, which has taken a new direction with a fresh set of pundits.

Jeff Stelling

After hosting Soccer Saturday for around 25 years, Stelling finally called it quits in 2023. His endless enthusiasm, comprehensive knowledge of clubs across the UK, and ability to handle the rolling score updates made him a firm favourite among viewers.

"It is now the right time to move on and give Sky Sports viewers a break from my relentless rants, bad gags and over the top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals," he said at the time, adding: "It's been a lot of fun - for me at least!"

He subsequently began presenting for talkSPORT and revealed details about his Sky departure to The Guardian: "I had the most fantastic run on the show; I made the greatest mates and was paid well for one of the best jobs in the world. But the show was heading in a direction which meant it wasn't quite the same.

"Even though I'd been there a long time, I felt some of my views weren't considered at all. Every week I was fighting a battle. I got tired of fighting and it was making me ill. Eventually, I went to Sky's management and said, 'This is making me unwell. I've got to step away from it.'"

The former Soccer Saturday host, who has been replaced by Simon Thomas, has toured UK theatres with Q&A shows titled 'An Evening With Jeff Stelling.' During these events, he discusses his Sky Sports presenting career whilst sharing numerous anecdotes from his time in the industry.

Phil Thompson

Liverpool icon Thompson was amongst the first wave of changes to Soccer Saturday's most familiar lineup. Thompson, 71, did, however, concede that the decision to replace him was managed with sensitivity.

Following his exit from the show, he took to Twitter to write: "I've had a great 22 years with @SkySports. Enjoyed every minute with some amazing people on the show and behind the scenes which made it the iconic show it is today."

In reference to the established punditry team of Nicholas, Le Tissier and Merson, Thompson added: "It was three parts of a midfield. The others could have continued."

Since leaving Sky Sports, Thompson has remained active in the punditry scene across various platforms and also works as an after-dinner speaker.

Matt Le Tissier

Southampton legend Le Tissier was also among the legendary trio to be shown the door in 2020. Stelling has admitted that Le Tissier was "hit hardest" by the announcement as the 56-year-old was considerably younger than his colleagues. Reacting to the decision on social media, Le Tissier wrote: "Enjoyed my time at Sky Sports, time to look forward to life's next challenge."

Having observed the new format since his departure, in an interview with TheSportsDaily.com, Le Tissier said: "Occasionally, if I'm in I'll watch it. There doesn't seem to be the same humour, the same level of camaraderie there as there used to be.

"I think it's difficult because we had a team there that was together for a long time. Jeff Stelling's left now as well – that's a tough job for Simon Thomas, because Jeff was incredible at that job. For me the show was built around Jeff. We were there simply as the extras."

Le Tissier courted controversy with his anti-vaccination position during the Covid-19 pandemic. He has also shown interest in conspiracy theories and has taken up the position of associate director at non-league Sholing.

Charlie Nicholas

Known as 'Champagne' during his playing days, former Scotland international Nicholas opted to stay quiet when the axe initially fell. A Sky Sports statement announced: "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."

However, Nicholas launched a blistering critique of his former employers in 2021. He condemned Sky Sports for not supporting his ex-colleague Andy Walker after his suspension from Rangers and Celtic coverage due to on-air comments.

The Soccer Saturday trio briefly reunited for the 'Where's Jeff' podcast. Nicholas featured in the BBC documentary Pitch Invasion this year, whilst also appearing in a Paddy Power advert showcasing Scottish legends backing Spain ahead of the Euro 2024 final.

Chris Kamara

A roving reporter, Kamara's charm and passion for football, coupled with some unforgettable on-air gaffes, made him an essential part of Soccer Saturday. His 'Unbelievable Jeff' catchphrase only added to the programme's popularity.

'Kammy', after a 24-year stint with Sky Sports, bid farewell to the broadcaster at the end of the 2021/22 season following a diagnosis of speech apraxia. He explained at the time: "My time on Soccer AM, Goals on Sunday and, of course, on Soccer Saturday with Jeff has been – to coin a phrase – unbelievable. I've had the time of my life, and look forward to tuning in every Saturday as a fan."

The 67-year-old made an appearance on The Masked Singer and released his second autobiography, Kammy: My Incredible Life, in 2023. In the same year, he publicly discussed his speech condition, which led him to step back from most of his broadcasting responsibilities.

Speaking to Good Morning Britain, he said: "The [words] come out very slow so I thought that defined me. So, my apologies to everybody who's got a speech condition because it doesn't define who you are. I get upset talking about it because I was in denial, I was ashamed that I couldn't speak."

Tony Cottee

Cottee was another familiar face who left Soccer Saturday at the close of the 2020/21 season, a year after the first round of changes. The ex-West Ham and Everton striker regularly appears on talkSPORT and continues his punditry work.

However, he admitted on the Undr the Cosh podcast that leaving Soccer Saturday wasn't his choice: "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 like the Kammys and the McInallys [Alan McInally], and then the lads who were on the panel. Merse, Le Tiss, Charlie, Thommo. Just wonderful characters."

Rodney Marsh

A departure from Soccer Saturday that happened long before the show's change of direction was Marsh. The former Manchester City striker was sacked by Sky Sports in 2005 after a joke that referenced the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.

Following his Sky exit, Marsh has appeared on numerous television shows, including I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2007. The 80-year-old is presently working for Sirius XM in a punditry capacity.

Current Soccer Saturday lineup

Thomas has hosted the show since Stelling left in 2023, and the expert panel, comprising Michael Dawson, Sue Smith, Tim Sherwood, Clinton Morrison and Kris Boyd, will remain the same for the forthcoming season. Ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean also provides his insight on Sky Sports regarding refereeing decisions and VAR calls.