Now Sky Sports’ iconic pitchside reporter Geoff Shreeves faces the AXE as part of broadcaster’s huge shake-up… with Soccer AM shelved and football staff told to reapply for jobs
- Sky Sports are cutting jobs and veteran interviewer Geoff Shreeves could go
- They have already announced that Soccer AM will be dropped this year
- Shreeves has worked at the broadcaster since 1992 and is highly regarded
Geoff Shreeves could be in danger of losing his job with Sky Sports as the broadcaster considers more cuts in a huge shake-up.
The veteran pitchside reporter has been an ever-present part of their coverage since joining the organisation in 1992.
But now Shreeves is under threat of being axed, with bosses making major changes and Soccer AM already on the scrapheap.
Shreeves’ arrival at Sky coincided with the start of the Premier League and his voice has become a constant for football fans over the years.
His pitchside reports and post-game interviews with players and managers are a staple of the coverage on match-days but it is a time of great uncertainty at the organisation.
Geoff Shreeves could be axed by Sky Sports, with the broadcaster making major changes
Shreeves, pictured here interviewing Jack Grealish after Man City’s title win last year, has been a key part of the growth of the coverage of the Premier League on Sky Sports
Pictured here with Arsene Wenger, Shreeves has seen huge change over three decades
News of Soccer AM’s demise broke on Thursday and a number of football reporters have this week been told to reapply for their jobs.
Those at risk include some of the longest-serving and most popular reporters, some of whom provide live updates for Soccer Saturday.
Longevity with Sky appears not to protect any current employees and Shreeves’ exit would send a clear message that no jobs are safe.
His cut-and-thrust with the major figures in the game have made for occasionally awkward moments down the years, with Shreeves revealing a few anecdotes of run-ins.
In his book Cheers, Geoff! Tales from the Touchline, he wrote about Sir Alex Ferguson’s fury at him questioning whether Cristiano Ronaldo dived.
‘You and your f***ing questions, you’re f***ing out of order,’ he snarled, Shreeves explained.
‘The boy hardly speaks English, you’re f***ing bang out of order.
‘Don’t talk to me like that,’ I replied. ‘I’m not one of your daft, young players.’
Shreeves’ seniority within the ranks at Sky Sports will not necessarily protect him
Arsene Wenger also ‘wanted to hit’ Shreeves after he asked about mounting pressure and whether he would be sacked.
He has vast experience in the game but will fear his time at Sky will be coming to an end.
There were numerous job cuts in the football department in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
And on the fresh round of restructuring, a Sky spokesperson said: ‘Our coverage of football is evolving to reflect the changing habits of our viewers and ensures we continue to deliver the best experience for customers,’
‘Our proposal would mean the creation of new roles, and the closing of some existing roles, and we are currently in a consultation period with our people.’
It comes as part of a Sky shake-up, with Soccer AM to be taken off air at the end of the season
Soccer AM has been axed after a 30-year run. Pictured are former presenters Helen Chamberlain and Tim Lovejoy from 2003
With the axe looming on employees, Sky also say they are going into a period of consultation to discuss proposed changes.
The decision to cut Soccer AM at the end of this season – 10 more episodes – came as a shock to fans.
The light-hearted look at the game has evolved over the years and has been on air since 1995.
John Fendley and Jimmy Bullard are the current co-hosts and the final edition is expected to be broadcast on May 27.
The bombshell announcement has left staff reeling and there is a move to target younger viewers, with Saturday Social now a priority programme.
Rocket – real name James Long – told Sportsmail following the news: ‘It’s the end of an era! The show was the first of its kind when it first aired in the mid 90’s. It became cult viewing and a Saturday morning ritual for many households across the UK.
‘Bacon roll, cuppa tea, Soccer AM! I think what made Soccer AM special was that we would cover all football leagues, from grassroots to the Premier League and we didn’t take ourselves too seriously, we loved getting our viewers involved in show from Strangers on the Sofa, Fans of the Week and the Soccerette. It was a show for the people made by the by the people.
‘It’s a real shame that it’s come to an end but what a journey it’s been and I’m proud to have been a part of it.’
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