At the end of the current season, Match of the Day analyst Ian Wright, an icon of Arsenal, will leave the show.
The sixty-year-old Wright appeared on the BBC show for the first time as a player in 1997. After retiring in 2000, he started appearing regularly as a pundit in 2002.
Ian Wright: Match of the Day pundit to step down at end of season
After turning 60 last month, Wright claimed the decision “had been coming for a while” and was “fast-tracked”.
The former England striker declared, “In the end, it’s time to do a few more different things with my Saturdays.”
Prior to his departure in 2008, Wright appeared on Match of the Day twice: first in 2002 and again in 2015. He made his debut on the show in May as the first father and son punditry duo, joining Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Wright, who will appear on Sunday’s MOTD2 on BBC One at 22:30 GMT, stated, “I’ll be stepping back from BBC MOTD at the end of this season after my debut show whilst still a player in 1997 and many more memorable years.”
“I feel very privileged to have had such an incredible run on the most iconic football show in the world.”
“Anyone who knows my story understands how much the show has meant to me since I was a young boy,” he continued. My holy grail is MOTD. “This is my Graceland,” I said to [presenter] Des Lynam during my very first show. I will always be watching, and it will always be my Graceland.
“I’m taking a step back, having created many wonderful memories and wonderful friends. I’m eager to cover what should be an incredible title race during my last months on the show.”
“Working alongside you, Ian, has been an absolute pleasure and privilege,” the show’s presenter, Gary Lineker, wrote. One of the world’s most beloved individuals. Goodbye, my friend.”
“Ian has been a wonderful star player on MOTD since his first appearance over 20 years ago,” stated Philip Bernie, Head of BBC Sport Content. Everyone who has watched him has been greatly amused and educated by his warmth, wit, and understanding. When he leaves at the conclusion of this season, we will miss his distinct presence and style, but we will make sure to offer him the proper farewell.”
Wright scored 90 goals in his 90-goal career, including two against Manchester United in the 1990 FA Cup final, for Crystal Palace, where he began his professional career in 1985 at the age of 21. Although Palace drew 3-3, they lost the rematch 1-0.
In September 1997, he became the club’s top goal scorer. During his tenure with the Gunners, he also won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and European Cup Winners’ Cup. He transferred to Arsenal in 1991 for a then-club record of £2.5 million. He scored 185 goals for the Gunners.
He played for West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Celtic, and Burnley before leaving Arsenal.
In addition, he scored nine goals and earned 33 caps for England.
He has become one of the most well-known football analysts on television after retiring, covering the men’s and women’s games for the BBC and ITV.
Away from sport, he presented a BBC show on his early life and the abuse he experienced.
He was granted the Freedom of the City of London last month after being named an OBE in the June Birthday Honours list for his contributions to sport and philanthropy.