Ian Wright will leave Match of the Day at the end of the season (Credits: BBC/UNPIXS)
Ian Wright says he’s taken the decision to step down from Match of the Day because he wants to watch more football with his family.
The Arsenal legend confirmed this week that he will leave the BBC show at the end of the season.
Wright first appeared on Saturday nights when he was a player and he’s continued in his role in some capacity over the last 27 years.
As part of the role, pundits usually take in Premier League matches in the studio during the day on Saturday before appearing at night to cover the day’s highlights.
While it’s the dream job for many, Wright admits he wants to spend more time with his family at weekends and will watch more football in-person with his wife.
Wright started on Match of the Day 27 years ago (Credits: BBC / Pete Dadds)
‘I’m going to actually watch more football – I’m going to watch my granddaughter,’ said Wright.
‘I’m going to watch a lot more women’s games down at Borehamwood. I’m going to watch a lot more Arsenal games just to be there just to be there with fans.
‘Go with my son and his missus – just go and be with them and be amongst it, just to celebrate when we win or when we lose.
‘And spend a bit more time with my missus, Nance, because she has to do so much on a weekend with the two girls who are getting to a certain age where they have to be up and down all over the place.
‘So I just want to be a bit more present on that
It’s been a bit of a realisation because I’ve got so many cool things happening and I just want to give quality time to them.
‘So that’s what I want to do. I want to just go and do stuff where I watch games, spend time with people.’
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