In response, fellow host Lineker responded: "It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to work alongside you, Ian. One of my favourite people on the planet. Farewell, my friend." Meanwhile, Arsenal fan Piers Morgan added: "Congrats on a magnificent run, Legend.. and on quitting at the very top of your punditry game. We’ll miss your smart analysis, passion and mischievous laugh."
Former Arsenal star Ian Wright has announced he will be leaving the BBC's Match of the Day at the end of the current Premier League season. It comes 26-years after he made his first appearance on the show while he was still a player, before becoming a full-time pundit.
The 60-year-old featured heavily for Crystal Palace and Arsenal in his playing days, scoring over 200 goals in his time in the top division. With the Gunners, Wright won a Premier League title, two FA Cups, one League Cup and the old European Cup Winners' Cup in seven years.
His time in north London coincided with all of his appearances for the English national team, where he managed 33 caps during a successful spell for the team. After hanging up his boots in 2000, Wright featured more on the punditry scene as his analysis caught the attention.
Wright covered the major international tournaments in 2002, 2006 and 2008 for the BBC's Match of the Day, with a spell at BT Sport following after. He then left to rejoin the BBC with an increased role on Match of the Day alongside fellow co-hosts Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.
There has been plenty of praise for Wright's place in the show, but after all this time, it appears as though he's moving on to pastures new. On a statement on social media, he said: "After my debut show whilst still a player in 1997 and many more memorable years, I’ll be stepping back from BBC MOTD at the end of this season. I feel very privileged to have had such an incredible run on the most iconic football show in the world.
"Anyone that knows my story knows how much the show has meant to me since I was young boy. MOTD is my Holy Grail. On my first ever show, I told Des Lynam, 'This is my Graceland'. It will always be my Graceland and I will always be watching. I’m stepping back having made great friends and many great memories. This decision has been coming for a while, maybe my birthday earlier this year fast tracked it a little, but ultimately it’s time to do a few more different things with my Saturdays.
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