Shock option to replace Jeff Stelling emerges alongside surprise favourite Adam Smith to front Soccer Saturday on Sky

SKY SPORTS presenter Julian Warren has emerged as one of the potential candidates to replace Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday, according to reports.

Beloved frontman Stelling, who has been the face of Soccer Saturday for over 25 years, announced his departure from the programme last weekend.

Stelling is set to leave Soccer Saturday at the end of the seasonRex

https://www.instagram.com/adamjsmithy/Smith is currently the frontrunner for the job[/caption]

Instagram / @julianwarrenWarren is also in the running[/caption]

He said: “I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team.

“It is now the right time to move on and give Sky Sports viewers a break from my relentless rants, bad gags and over-the-top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals.

“It’s been a lot of fun – for me at least!”

Stelling’s last show as host will be on May 28 – the final day of the 2022/23 Premier League season.

But talks over his potential replacement are already underway.

SunSport reported earlier this week that Adam Smith – also known as ‘Smithy’ – is frontrunner for the role.

The Saturday Social presenter recently took part in a screen test that “went down a storm” with Sky bosses.

And many people behind the scenes are now eager for him to get the job.

BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS

However, according to The Daily Mail, Warren is also competing for the job.

Warren is already experienced in the role, having been Stelling’s stand-in for years.

So he would likely take no time to settle into the role on a full-time basis.

Sky are attempting to cut costs after losing nine per cent of their UK subscribers.

Several football reporters are facing redundancy as a result, so a big-money recruit from outside the organisation is seen as inappropriate in the circumstances.