03 December 2023 , 09:54
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Jeff Stelling has revealed that he's 'slightly concerned' ahead of his return to broadcasting next week - admitting he might not be as good as everyone expects!
The Sky Sports legend, 68, decided to step down from presenting Soccer Saturday at the end of last season, having spent 29 years working for the broadcaster. On Monday, he'll start life as the host of talkSPORT's breakfast show following the departure of now TNT Sports anchor Laura Woods.
That's not the only new role for Stelling, though, as he's also joined Amazon Prime's team for their Premier League coverage next week and for another round of fixtures later this month. Starting on Wednesday, the 68-year-old Hartlepool fan will present 'Every Game Every Goal' to show "all the goals and key moments" from the evening's six matches.
Beloved by football fans up and down the country and being the voice behind a host of iconic TV moments, there'll be lofty expectations for Stelling when he gets back in the chair - and he's desperate to live up to them. "Everyone has welcomed me with open arms," the ex-Sky presenter told the Sun ahead of his talkSPORT debut.
"The only slight concern is that people have been saying, 'Ah brilliant, you're going to be fantastic!' I hope I am! It is so different to what I have been used to for the last 30 years or so. I want to repay people by living up to expectations. I still get those nerves. It is a cliche but it makes you try harder and prepare for it more."
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Stelling went on to say: "I want to say to people that I am not retired. I am just doing something a bit different. My sons, who are 25 and 23, keep collecting fliers from the care homes in Winchester, adverts for stairlifts and things like that.
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Jeff Stelling will return to broadcasting on Monday, hosting the TalkSPORT breakfast show (Tom Jenkins/Getty Images)"They leave them on my desk at home. They take the mickey out of me non-stop. A subtle hint maybe, but I want to show them there is still a bit of life yet."
Stelling's passion for football still burns strong, adding: "I have missed getting stuck in to some of the big incidents, the big boys and the big controversies, whether it be VAR decisions or Andre Onana's howlers. You cannot help but think: ‘How would I have covered that? What would I have said?’
"But that is the joy, you never quite know what is going to turn up or happen. There hasn't even been a Premier League manager sacked yet! It is never the same old same old."