Tony Cottee has opened up on his “very sad” departure from Sky Sports after two decades of punditry.
The ex-West Ham, Everton and Leicester City striker, now 58, is among the several high-profile names to get the boot from Soccer Saturday in recent years. It was kicked off by the departures of Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas, who were shown the door back in August 2020.
Cottee stayed on for another year but then found himself following them out of the exit door. The reshuffle has proved controversial with footy fans, who had been accustomed to the same set of familiar faces on their TV screen each and every week.
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And it certainly wasn’t what Cottee wanted, as he explained during his recent appearance on the Undr The Cosh podcast. He was asked about his final day with the company, saying: “It was very sad.
“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.”
Despite the sour taste left by his exit, Cottee reflects on his time with Sky Sports fondly, reports the Mirror. He continued: “But I also look back and think I had 20 wonderful years.
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(Image: YouTube/Under The Cosh)
“Some of the characters – Jeff Stelling’s an amazing presenter. Then you think of like 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.”
Reflecting on what he misses most, the seven-time England international detailed how interacting with his fellow ex-pros filled the void left by the dressing room after retiring in 2001.
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He added: “I mentioned that camaraderie. When I used to go into the studio, we were having a laugh and a joke, telling stories, reminiscing and all that. So that’s why I didn’t miss that because I got it through my Sky experiences. It was brilliant.”
Cottee still keeps in touch with his former colleagues, regularly catching up with meals and at various events. He works as a host and presenter on a freelance basis.
Meanwhile, Soccer Saturday introduced a new studio last season with Simon Thomas stepping in to replace Stelling. Paul Merson continues to be a regular feature, with Clinton Morrison, Sue Smith, Michael Dawson, Kris Boyd and Tim Sherwood making frequent appearances.