Jeff Stelling makes 'old white blokes' claim after Sky Sports exit as MOTD suggestion made

Jeff Stelling made an "old white blokes" claim after it was suggested about him replacing Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host.

It was officially announced last week that Lineker will be stepping down down as presenter at the end of the 2024/25 season after a incredible 25-year run.

A slew of names have been linked with replacing Lineker, including the likes of Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan, Reshmin Chowdhury, Jason Mohammed, Kelly Cates and Kelly Somers.

Stelling is renowned one of the best sports presenters in the business, enjoying a 30-year spell at Sky Sports - a good chunk of which was spent anchoring the Soccer Saturday show before he left in the summer of 2023.

The staunch Hartlepool United fan's departure followed long-time panelists Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson, Tony Cottee and Matt Le Tissier being relieved of their duties as the programme moved into a new direction.

The show is now hosted by Simon Thomas and regular pundits include Clinton Morrison, Michael Dawson, Tim Sherwood and Sue Smith.

There has been much discussion about new demographics coming to the fore but in a new interview with The Telegraph, Stelling dismissed that notion and still believes a "high-quality product" is the focus.

“I’ve never bought the stuff about a new demographic," he said.

"It’s a forlorn pursuit to look for a younger audience that probably aren’t interested in the programme anyway by having younger presenters, influencers, social-media types. I’ve never believed that was the way forward. Call me old-fashioned, but I’ve always felt the way to attract an audience of any demographic is to make sure you put out a high-quality product.

“If the programme is watched by mums and dads in their forties, make sure it is good enough so that when the new generation reach their forties it is something they want to watch. "If I’m going to hear somebody talking about a football match, I’d rather it was somebody who had played the game and is able to see things people like me standing on the terraces can’t see, than is a big figure on social media.”

Jeff Stelling had a 30-year run at Sky Sports, presenting Soccer Saturday. Image: Getty

Stelling, who has worked for talkSPORT and Amazon since leaving Sky, was then asked about the possibility of presenting Match of the Day but admitted that "old white blokes" like him have had their run.

“No, no, we old white blokes have had our day in the sun,” he replied.

“Hard as it is – and believe me I’ve found it hard – we’ve just got to accept we had a great run, and say good luck to the next lot coming in. If they enjoy it as much as I have done, then they will have a wonderful time.”

He was, however, very clear in who he feels should be filling the void left by Lineker. Chapman, who currently presents Match of the Day 2 as well as Sky Sports' coverage of the Carabao Cup, is his choice without any hesitation.

Mark Chapman is a leading contender to replace Match of the Day. Image: Getty

Stelling stated: "Chappers [Mark Chapman] is the man for the job."

“Great presenter, nice sense of humour, good rapport with the guests, he’s got to be the man, surely.”