Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright has announced that he will be stepping down from his Match of the Day punditry role at the end of the season.
Ian Wright has taken to social media to announce that he will be departing Match of the Day at the end of the season, stepping down from his punditry role on the iconic British television programme.
Wright has had two spells on the BBC show, making his debut in 1997 while still an active player. The Woolwich-born ex-England international then became a regular pundit in 2002 for six years, before returning in 2015.
The Arsenal legend appeared on the show alongside Shaun Wright-Phillips back in May, becoming the first father and son punditry team to be seen on the programme in the process.
Earning a reported £150,000 a year for his role alongside Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, Wright came in at 10th in our list of the highest earning football pundits on British television prior to his announcement.
Wright, who turned 60 last month, wrote on Twitter: “After my debut show whilst still a player in 1997 and many more memorable years, I’ll be stepping back from BBC MOTD at the end of this season.
“I feel very privileged to have had such an incredible run on the most iconic football show in the world.
“Anyone that knows my story knows how much the show has meant to me since I was young boy. MOTD is my Holy Grail. On my first ever show, I told Des Lynam, “This is my Graceland”. It will always be my Graceland and I will always be watching.”
He continued: “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.”
After my debut show whilst still a player in 1997 and many more memorable years, I’ll be stepping back from BBC MOTD at the end of this season. I feel very privileged to have had such an incredible run on the most iconic football show in the world. pic.twitter.com/aHRK0CmNJH
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) December 17, 2023
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