Sky Sports look to raid BBC to land Jeff Stelling's Soccer Saturday replacement

Sky Sports have reportedly approached BBC presenter Mark Chapman as they try to find a long-term replacement for Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday.

Stelling has spent 30 years with Sky and has become synonymous with the broadcaster's flagship Saturday afternoon football programme, having hosted it since 1994.

But Sky have been on the lookout for a replacement ever since the 66-year-old announced in October that he had decided to step down from the role at the end of the season.

Chapman is a BBC stalwart and presents the broadcaster's Saturday afternoon coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live, its Monday Club programme, Match of the Day 2 and rugby league shows.

Yet according to the Daily Mail the 48-year-old could jump ship after holding talks with Sky about filling the big shoes of Stelling on Soccer Saturday.

Chapman, who is from Sale, Manchester, has worked for the BBC since 1996 when he started reading sport bulletins on Radio 1.

He joined 5 Live in 2010 and has since developed a reputation for being a safe pair of hands across a variety of sports, working on golf coverage and NFL broadcasts.

The report states that Chapman is yet to decide whether to take up the job offer, or whether he would continue to work for the BBC if he became Soccer Saturday presenter.

Stelling's pending departure from the programme will continue Sky's efforts to freshen up the line-up following a change of pundits in August which saw Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas and Matt Le Tissier leave the show.

The beloved presenter admitted at the time that Sky's ruthless decision took him by surprise before announcing his own departure two months later.

"I have loved every moment of my 30 years with Sky, but like every Saturday afternoon the time eventually comes to blow the final whistle," Stelling said.

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"I am proud to have been part of such a winning team for so long and look forward to the many more special moments on Soccer Saturday for rest of this season - and perhaps even another promotion push from Hartlepool United."

Sky Sports managing director Jonathan Licht has paid tribute to Stelling's legacy and promised a "great send off" at the end of the season in May.

"Jeff is a true broadcasting legend and has been a big part of Sky Sports growth and popularity over the last 30 years," said Licht.

"Jeff's pure passion and dedication to the game has set him apart and made Soccer Saturday a fixture for millions of fans every Saturday afternoon.

"The goals, the laughs, the red cards and the missed red cards have helped create one of the most popular TV shows in sport and Jeff has been the centrepiece of that.

"Jeff will be sorely missed, but we are delighted that he will leading the team through to the end of the season.

"There will rightly be many tributes to Jeff, and Sky Sports will be giving him the great send off in May that his remarkable and enduring contribution deserves."