Ian Wright gives detail of real reason he decided to quit BBC Match of the Day

18 December 2023 , 22:41

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Ian Wright will leave Match of the Day at the end of the season (Image: Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Image)

Ian Wright has revealed his reasoning for quitting Match of the Day is to watch even more football.

The ex-Arsenal star has decided to end his two-decade association with the BBC programme at the end of the season. Wright has regularly given his insight and expertise but will now dedicate more of his time to his family, particularly his grandchildren.

Wright has been a major advocate of the women's game and his granddaughter Raphaella Wright-Phillips is a young talent who recently caught the attention with her skills in a viral video. And his grandson D’Margio Wright-Phillips has played at under-17 level for England and is currently on loan at Northampton.

He said on his decision: “I’m going to actually watch more football. I’m going to watch my grand-daughter. I’m going to watch a lot more women’s games. I’m going to watch a lot more Arsenal games, just to be there with fans.

"Go with my son and his missus, be amongst it, just to celebrate when we win or when we lose. It’s been a bit of a realisation that I want to give quality time to them. So that’s what I want. To watch games, spend time with people.”

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Wright made his announcement on Sunday morning as the former Gunner said: “I feel very privileged to have had such an incredible run on the most iconic football show in the world. I’m stepping back having made great friends and many great memories.

“This decision has been coming for a while. Maybe my birthday earlier this year fast-tracked it a little but, ultimately, it’s time to do a few more different things with my Saturdays.”

Ian Wright wants to spend more of his weekend with wife Nancy Hallam

Ian is a father to eight children with wife Nancy Hallam, who he married in 2011. One of the activities on his list is to enjoy more games with his partner as he said on his his Wrighty’s House podcast : “I’m going to watch my granddaughter. I want to see if I can watch my grandson play as well. He needs a bit more support now. It’s kind of fallen off a little bit for him.

“So hopefully I can watch him some more, spend a bit more time. I want to take Nance to more games as well because she really makes me laugh when she’s watching the game. She has to do so much on a weekend with the two girls, so I want to be a bit more present on that.”

Samuel Meade