Machibet LiveSky Sports SACK Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas from Soccer Saturday leaving Jeff Stelling devastated | The Sun - Mcb777 Affiliate

MATT LE TISSIER has been kicked off Sky Sports along with his fellow Soccer Saturday pundits Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson.

The three long-serving football experts were given the boot on Tuesday in a remarkable move by the TV company who have been aggressively cutting staff numbers.

The popular trio will be sorely missed by the millions of armchair football fansCredit: Sky

Sky told SunSport: “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.”

Confirming his dismissal, Le Tissier wrote on Twitter: "Enjoyed my time at Sky Sports, time to look forward to life's next challenge, thank you for the support down the years and special thanks to the backroom team which include @CazzaEccles @CarlyBassett @tvtrevstats amongst many others, good luck all have a lovely day."

Thompson said: "I've had a great 22 years on 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."

Presenter Jeff Stelling will remain, as will Arsenal legend Paul Merson.

It is thought that with the show's panel being made up entirely of white men of a certain age, Sky felt that Soccer Saturday's existing format had run its course.

Sky have not announced who will replace the trio.

Stelling appeared gutted by the news, writing on Twitter in reply to Le Tissier: "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.";

END OF AN ERA

Former Southampton superstar and England ace Le Tissier, 51, was a hugely popular member of Stelling’s Saturday team.

And “Le God” formed a brilliant relationship with Liverpool’s former captain and assistant manager Thommo, 66, and ex-Celtic and Arsenal star Nicholas, 58.

The three men clocked close to 50 years service between them with Sky and will be greatly missed by the millions of armchair football fans who tuned into the long-running Gillette Soccer Saturday show.

Midfield magician Le Tissier spent all his professional career with the Saints and it was one of football’s biggest mysteries why he only won eight England caps.

He hung up his boots in 2003 before joining Sky's punditry panel shortly after.

Former Reds skipper and England star Thompson won 16 major titles with his beloved Liverpool including seven First Division titles, three European Cup, one FA Cup and two League Cup successes.

In 2001 Thommo was praised by his fellow football pundit Tony Cottee for saving his life when the Liverpool hero paid for a doctor to examine his colleague before he suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Having worked for Sky since 1998, when Thompson left his role as Gerard Houllier's assistant at Liverpool in 2004, he became a bigger member of the team.

Scotland striker Nicholas secured two Premier League honours and one League Cup for Glasgow giants Celtic and one League Cup with the Gunners.

The 58-year-old's playing career came to an end in 1996 before he turned to punditry.

The three presenters have been axed by Sky SportsCredit: Sky Sports

Charlie Nicholas pictured in 2003 working for Sky

Le Tissier reports on a major moment in 2008

Thompson has also been a regular for over a decade, and is pictured here in 2008

Le Tissier had it written into his Sky contract that he didn’t have to wear a tie for the weekend and mid-week television shows.

He recently caused a stir on social media for wearing a Black Lives Matter badge on the programme after suggesting to his half-a-million Twitter followers that he was against the idea.

Le Tissier also declared he was taking a break from social media earlier this month when he was attacked by online trolls calling for him to be sacked by Sky.

The trolls turned on the football pundit for criticising the government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis.