Jeff Stelling hails ‘most difficult pundit in history’ after being accused of Soccer Saturday reunion ‘snub’

JEFF STELLING brilliantly praised Rodney Marsh on social media after the ex-Soccer Saturday presenter dubbed his old colleague the “most difficult pundit in history”.

Stelling, 69, reunited with some of the show’s most iconic names earlier this week as he enjoyed a dinner with Tony Cottee, Phil Thompson, Alan McInally, Chris Kamara and one of the producers.

(L-R) Tony Cottee, Phil Thompson, Sky Sports producer, Jeff Stelling, Chris Kamara and Alan McInally at a Soccer Saturday reunion dinnerX/chris_kammy

Rodney Marsh was sacked from Soccer Saturday in 2005 after 11 years on the showPA:Press Association

But ex-QPR, Man City and England forward Marsh, 79, who worked on Soccer Saturday for 11 years, did not get an invite to the meal.

He was sacked in January 2005 for making an on-air joke about the devastating tsunamis that had hit Thailand weeks earlier.

Marsh replied to Kamara’s photo of the dinner with a laughing emoji and the words: “I must not be on  the mailing list.”

To which Kammy responded with a similar emoji and the message: “You’re a recluse Rodney.”

Stelling picked Marsh as the “most difficult colleague” he had worked with after his departure last year.

But the pair had a heartwarming exchange on X on Friday after an article was published about Marsh’s response to the photo.

Marsh joked: “Life’s ironic, the first time I met @JeffStelling I thought he was a total prat………”

To which Stelling replied: “Rod the flight from Florida would have cost less than the meal we had!!

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Where are the former Soccer Saturday stars now?

Jeff Stelling can now be found presenting talkSPORT’s Breakfast show alongside Ally McCoist between 6am and 10am on Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Last year he and old pal Chris Kamara travelled to Sri Lanka together to tackle “The Devil’s Staircase” together while appearing on World’s Most Dangerous Roads.

Kammy, 66, has been raising awareness for people with Apraxia, having left Sky in 2022 as he managed his illness.

Charlie Nicholas now has a newspaper column in Scotland, and recently took part in a BBC Scotland documentary titled “Pitch Invasion: How the Scottish and Irish Changed Football”.

Phil Thompson regularly shares his football views with bookmaker Paddy Power, while Matt Le Tissier can be found appearing on podcasts sharing conspiracy theories.

Tony Cottee is often found on talkSPORT, while he also appeared on SunSport’s The Tap In last month.

Rodney Marsh, meanwhile, has been hosting the programme “Grumpy Pundits” on American broadcaster Sirius XM since 2015.

And Paul Merson is the only member of the old gang to still regularly feature on Soccer Saturday.

“And I will put it on record – without you being the most difficult pundit in history the show would never have seen its 3rd birthday, let alone its 30th!

“Hope you are well mate.”

Before Marsh added: “Cheers mate, I’ll never forget when you were once asked ‘Why does everyone take an instant dislike to Rodney Marsh’? You replied ‘It saves time’! ”

Cottee and Liverpool legend Thompson were both axed back in 2021 after two decades on the programme.

Matt Le Tissier and Charlie Nicholas were also let go by Sky Sports, while the much-loved Chris Kamara announced his departure in 2022 due to health reasons.

Presenter Stelling finally quit last summer and he is now starring in a new role on talkSPORT.