Ian Wright returns to Match of the Day, seven years after blasting the BBC for treating him like a 'comedy jester' 

  • Ian Wright set to rejoin Match of the Day after seven years away
  • Wright quit show in 2008 after slamming the format and how he was used
  • Phil Neville had departed the BBC to work at Valencia this summer  

By Jonny Singer for MailOnline

Published: 10:48 EST, 13 July 2015 | Updated: 12:24 EST, 13 July 2015

Ian Wright is to make a return to Match of the Day, the show he once slammed for treating him like a 'jester', as the BBC looks to replace the departed Phil Neville.

Wright, who quit the show in 2008 after slamming its format and its pundits, is now set to return to the Beeb's flagship football show.

The former Arsenal record goalscorer, who won 33 caps for England during his playing career, has worked for the organisation in the meantime, but is now set to return to the Premier League highlights show.

Ian Wright (centre) has returned to Match of the Day, after working for BT Sport and ITV for seven years

Ian Wright (centre) has returned to Match of the Day, after working for BT Sport and ITV for seven years

Wright quit Match of the Day in 2008 after claiming the BBC had used him as a 'comedy jester' on the show

Wright quit Match of the Day in 2008 after claiming the BBC had used him as a 'comedy jester' on the show

The former England international has been working as a host on radio 5 live's 606 programme for a few years

The former England international has been working as a host on radio 5 live's 606 programme for a few years

A BBC source told the Sun that they had 'loved him from afar ever since he left the show seven years ago.

'Unfortunately, he felt he was being used as a figure of fun, although that was certainly never our intention,' they said.

'Since then he has done a variety of projects but we always loved him from afar and that was proven when he was given the 606 job a couple of years back.

'We all feel he has done a great job there, as well as on ITV, and we love his passion, humour and forthright opinions.

'So both ourselves and Ian felt the time was right to bring him back to MOTD. All parties are delighted.'

Wright (far right) is also part of BT Sport's coverage, but will be returning as a pundit on Match of the Day

Wright (far right) is also part of BT Sport's coverage, but will be returning as a pundit on Match of the Day

Phil Neville, a regular pundit on the show, has left to become assistant manager at Spanish side Valencia

Phil Neville, a regular pundit on the show, has left to become assistant manager at Spanish side Valencia

Phil Neville, a regular pundit on the Match of the Day sofa, quit punditry to take up the assistant manager's role at Valencia this summer.

The former Manchester United and Everton midfielder has moved to Spain leaving the BBC a man light in their coverage, a space seemingly filled by Wright.

Wright left Match of the Day in 2008, claiming that it was not a show that 'young people' were able to enjoy. 

'I feel like I am just there as a comedy jester to break the ice with Alan Shearer and Alan Hansen, who just do run-of-the-mill things. I can't do that any more. People want something different,' said Wright at the time. 

Wright, now 51, who is believed to have earned about £50,000 a year from his pundit role, also attacked the BBC's allegedly stuffy approach to the sport.

He told Broadcast magazine in 2008: 'Times are changing. I don't know how long young people are going to want to sit down and watch that same old 'jacket, shirt and tie' format. 

Comments (111)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now