Anish Vij
An emotional Graeme Souness was 'on the verge of tears' after announcing live on-air that he would be leaving Sky Sports.
Surprisingly, he did not blame Paul Pogba for his departure.
After spending 15 years as a pundit for Sky Sports, the former Liverpool midfielder, 69, decided to announce his departure after Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday (30 April).
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He will be remembered as a straight-talking pundit, who would occasionally clash with fellow studio guests.
Souness admitted he probably 'owes a hundred apologies' for some of the comments made over the years.
“I have to say, for me I decided that football management wasn’t for me anymore. I had totally the wrong temperament for it and personality,” he said.
“I was given an opportunity to do this and it has been magnificent. It has just been the most fantastic time for me. I love football and I care for it and I worry about it going forward.
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“But in Sky’s hands it’s in safe hands and I think over the years we have treated the Premier League with great detail and I think we look after football very well.
“For me personally I have got the buzz of live football, coming to some fantastic games and some fantastic stadiums and witnessing some great events.
“I think I owe a hundred apologies but I haven’t got time for that to people that I may have said some harsh things.
“I think people at home want to see us not always agree, but it has been great and I am amongst friends.
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“Nothing goes on forever, I have got lots of things coming up. It has been great, so thank you to everyone.”
Reacting to the news on social media, one viewer wrote: "Souness on the verge of tears there #LIVTOT."
Another added: "GRAEME SOUNESS LEAVING SKY SPORTS. TEARS IN MY EYES."
While someone else said: "Sad news. Loved his raw honesty. He always said things we were all thinking but other’s usually never said. Going to be a big miss on match days. Thanks for your views Graeme over the years."
Souness becomes the second high-profile personality to leave Sky Sports in the last week, after Jeff Stelling announced his retirement from hosting Soccer Saturday.
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The 68-year-old, who joined Sky in 1992, said his last day will be on 28 May, after more than 25 years presenting the show.
Stelling said: “It’s that time of year every year when I announce I am leaving Sky Sports and Soccer Saturday but this time it is true.
“Thirty fantastic years on Sky, you lot out there (fans) have supported me marvellously - as have Sky - but it’s time to give you a break from all the VAR rants, bad gags and the over the top celebrations when Hartlepool score and give someone else the chance to do this fantastic job.
“I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team.”