‘I was binned off by Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday – it is a disgrace the way it ended’

Tony Cottee has made peace with how his 20-year run on Soccer Saturday came to an end but admits the manner of his exit stung.

The former West Ham and Everton striker was part of the initial wave that survived Sky Sports’ shake-up in 2020 but found himself off the air just one year later. He joined the likes of Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas, and Matt Le Tissier in being shown the door as Sky Sports prioritised a more youthful line-up.

Three years on and Premier League legend Cottee, 59, is candid about his disappointment at how things panned out, making it clear the decision to leave was made by Sky and not him. The retired goal machine – who scored 226 league goals across a glittering career – shared that he’s now embracing a new chapter in life.

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“I had 20 years as a player, 20 years as a pundit, and I’ve now moved on. I’m doing a bit of hospitality work etc.,” he told The Mirror, in partnership with Esportnow.pl. “And I’m into a different era, a different phase of my life. No regrets, of course, I would have liked it to end differently, and of course, I’d still like to be part of the show, but things change and we all move on.”

Earlier this year, Cottee described his last day on Soccer Saturday as “very sad” during an appearance on the Under The Cosh podcast. With Jeff Stelling stepping down last year, Alan McInally and Paul Merson are the only members of the old guard left from the show’s heyday.

A new squad of pundits has taken centre stage these days, with Clinton Morrison, Jobi McAnuff, Lee Hendrie and Sue Smith offering fresh insights. Numbers published by AMS last year revealed a massive 78% drop in TV viewership among men aged 16 to 34 over the past decade, mirroring a general trend among adults.

Did Sky Sports make a mistake sacking the old Soccer Saturday crew? Let us know in the comments section below.

Some critics have slammed the revamped Soccer Saturday for losing its ‘pub chat’ vibe, a stark contrast to the days when Cottee was on the panel. Reflecting on the show’s evolution, Cottee raised doubt as to whether he’d jump at a comeback even if the chance came along.

“Firstly, I don’t think I will get the call. But you know what, I think I’ve had my time,” he added. “I’m actually 60 next year, believe it or not, so I don’t think it would be a progressive, forward step for Sky to bring me back!

“There’s a lot more youngsters coming out of football, the likes of Theo Walcott, players coming up to retirement age. And you want to get insight from someone who has played in the last five years, as opposed to me, whose last Premier League game was in 2000.”

While some fans might miss the old-school charm, others prefer more current perspectives. Stelling may have been the linchpin of the show, but Cottee’s contributions were part of what made it a fan favourite.

Now enjoying his semi-retirement as a guest speaker, the English icon – who won seven caps for his country – can take regular trips down memory lane and still get paid for the pleasure. His stint on Soccer Saturday has become another chapter in that illustrious career, and one he looks back on with affection despite a regretful departure from Sky.