Ian Wright will step down from Match of the Day at the end of the season (BBC)
Ian Wright will step down as a pundit from Match of the Day at the end of the season.
The former Arsenal striker made his debut on the BBC programme as a player in 1997 and become a regular pundit in 2002.
Wright says the decision ‘had been coming for a while’ and was ‘fast-tracked’ after he turned 60 in November.
‘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,’ said Wright.
“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 a young boy. MOTD is my Holy Grail. On my first ever show, I told [presenter] Des Lynam, ‘This is my Graceland’. It will always be my Graceland and I will always be watching.
‘I’m stepping back having made great friends and many great memories.
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‘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.
‘I’m really looking forward to my last months on the show and covering what will hopefully be an amazing title race.’
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