EXCLUSIVE: Geoff Shreeves LEAVES Sky Sports after rejecting a pay cut, joining Martin Tyler, Jeff Stelling and more in leaving amid Sky’s cost-cutting and diversity push – and he’s already d other offers
- Veteran Sky Sports journalist Geoff Shreeves has become the latest star to leave
- The 58-year-old has rejected a pay cut and joins Jeff Stelling in walking away
- Commentator Martin Tyler has already left amid sweeping changes at Sky
Veteran Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves is to leave the channel with immediate effect.
Mail Sport can reveal that Shreeves has become the latest big victim of the channel’s drive to cut costs.
It is understood that Shreeves, 58, has been offered the chance to continue working for Sky but with a reduced salary. Instead, he chose to walk away and is already considering other offers. He is expected to return to television soon.
The news comes amid a blizzard of changes at Sky. Senior commentator Martin Tyler revealed two weeks ago that he covered his last game for the station, Graeme Souness recently quit his pundit role, while Sky demanded a host of journalists reapply for the job. their jobs.
Mainstays such as Guy Havord and Bianca Westwood are already known to be on the verge of extinction.
Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves has become the latest big name to leave the broadcaster
Shreeves is yet another big casualty for Sky after Martin Tyler and Jeff Stelling amid their cost-cutting and diversity push
He joined Sky in 1991 – initially working as a set manager – before becoming one of their most trusted reporters.
But Shreeves’ departure leaves a huge hole in Sky’s coverage of football and comes at the end of a season which has seen revered Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling also working for his latest show.
Shreeves, a former estate agent, has worked for the channel for 30 years and was one of Sky’s most recognizable faces, interviewing players and managers before and after Premier League games. He is also a former presenter of the now defunct Debate and Sunday Supplement.
Shreeves told Mail Sport today: “There’s an old saying that you always have to know the best time to leave even the biggest party.”
“And that’s what my thirty-two years at Sky have been – the most fantastic party I could have imagined attending.”
The 58-year-old – famous for his pitchside and tunnel interviews with players and managers – has dismissed the chance of taking a pay cut
Shreeves was one of Sky’s most recognizable faces who developed a great understanding with some of the league’s top managers – like Arsene Wenger (L)
Shreeves (R) said it was a good time to move on after ‘attending the most fantastic party’
“From the first kick of the ball in live Premier League coverage to Manchester City’s title celebrations last season, with plenty in between!” I had the incredible good fortune to work for a revolutionary company that helped revolutionize football.
“But now is the time to move on. Sky has been incredibly generous in recognition of my service and I can’t speak highly enough of so many people I’ve worked with over three decades.
“I now have the opportunity to live new experiences that I look forward to announcing in the very near future.”
Gary Hughes, Sky Sports Director of Football, said: “Geoff has been an integral part of the Sky Sports football team and the finest tunnel reporter in the business, interviewing the biggest names in the biggest games for over 30 years. . Geoff leaves us with our sincere thanks and best wishes for the future. As Sir Alex has always said, Bravo, Geoff!'”
Shreeves began his career at Sky as a stage manager in 1991 before rising through the ranks to become one of the game’s most respected and trusted television reporters. relationships with managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho.
On the day Manchester City lifted the Premier League trophy at the Etihad Stadium last month, manager Pep Guardiola refused any post-match contract interviews except for his chat with Shreeves.
Sky’s number two reporter Patrick Davison could be in line to replace Shreeves, although Sky could also choose not to recruit internally.
Shreeves says he has ‘opportunity for new experiences’ after leaving Sky Sports