Simon Thomas says following Jeff Stelling was ‘like replacing Fergie at United'

Thomas took over from the hugely popular Stelling for the start of the 2023-24 season when the veteran broadcaster stepped away from fronting the Saturday afternoon results show after over 25 years in the chair.
Thomas, who took a break from presenting following the death of his wife in 2017, initially wanted to turn the job down, fearing he would have an 'impossible job', much like Moyes did at Old Trafford when he took over from the Scot in 2013.
A post shared by 𝙎𝙞𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙨 (@simonthomastv)
'It was a little bit like replacing Fergie at United,' the 52-year-old told ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast. 'You almost want to be the one after David Moyes.
'I'll be really honest, I wanted to say no initially because I thought this is the impossible job. I remember when he announced he was leaving, everyone was saying good luck to whoever replaces him.
'But how can you turn it down?'
Thomas, who admitted he struggled with anxiety when returning to work following his wife's death, fronted a rebrand of Soccer Saturday and admits he struggled in his first season.
'When I came to do Soccer Saturday, I knew I was in a better place but I'd say a lot of the first season I had a real struggle,' he said.
'There was a period when I thought 'have I made a massive mistake here?'.
'It's hard enough replacing Jeff, it's massively hard taking on a show that's six hours long and on a busy week you're keeping across 71 games over six hours.
'It screws with your head and I did struggle a lot with it. I had to ride the storm and say this first season is going to be hard, I'm going to have to ignore all people that say 'it's rubbish now Jeff's gone' and 'he's not as good as Jeff, he's not funny, he's not this'.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

34 minutes ago

• Daily Mirror

Alejandro Garnacho leaves Man Utd fans fuming with Marcus Rashford gesture

Alejandro Garnacho is one of a number of Mancheser United stars up for sale this summer after being told to find a new club by Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim earlier this year Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho has prompted the ire of the club's supporters by wearing another Premier League side's shirt. The winger posted a picture of himself wearing an Aston Villa top with 'Rashford' on the back. Both Garnacho and Marcus Rashford are expected to leave Manchester this summer, and neither is part of Ruben Amorim's plans at Old Trafford. Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa Park after being left out of numerous United squads. ‌ And Argentina international Garnacho was told to find a new club at the end of the season after venting his frustration at not starting in the Europa League final. The 20-year-old was left out of United's final Premier League matchday squad. ‌ The young star was the subject of interest in January as Napoli had a bid in the region of £40million turned down. An asking price of £70m was initially touted for Garnacho but it has since been suggested that figure could be slashed to facilitate a move. And Garnacho's social media activity appears to have signalled some camaraderie with Rashford, to the dismay of some United fans. Sharing photographs from his holiday to Ibiza, one included a picture of him wearing Marcus Rashford's Aston Villa shirt. Rashford responded to the post with the words 'My brother' and a heart emoji. Others of a United persuasion were less kind, however. "To wear another Premier club's top is madness and proves you clearly are not mentally ready for the next level," wrote one fan. "You've lost the respect of majority of United fans especially those that have backed you," added another. "Garnacho just keeps proving why he must leave," remarked a supporter. "His ego is ridiculous for somebody with his ability." ‌ "There's a line and you just crossed it," said another. "See ya later Garnacho, clear off and find yourself another club," said a further fan. An additional supporter suggested the image was an intentional move. "Garnacho knows exactly what he's doing wearing that jersey.. weirdo," they said. Both players could soon find themselves returning to United however. Rashford is said to be ready to return for pre-season training if a transfer away does not materialise. Nobody is currently in serious talks to sign the 27-year-old and Rashford is 'preparing' for such an eventuality with United's stars due back for tests and training next month. Despite interest from a host of Europe's elite, such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Juventus, United are believed to have not received any formal offers for the forward.

Daily Mirror

an hour ago

• Daily Mirror

Napoli make move for second Man Utd star after getting Jadon Sancho green light

Antonio Conte's squad could be boosted by yet another former Manchester United player with Rasmus Hojlund being talked up as a new frontman for the Serie A champions Napoli are keen on bringing Rasmus Hojlund back to Serie A with the Manchester United flop allowed to leave Old Trafford. The Italian champions have already added Kevin De Bruyne as a free agent and have reportedly agreed personal terms with United winger Jadon Sancho, after Chelsea paid £5m not to sign him permanently following an unimpressive season on loan at Stamford Bridge. ‌ Gazzetta dello Sport say Napoli are keen on Hojlund, who made a name for himself when leading the line for Atalanta before heading to United. But after two seasons of struggle, his future under Ruben Amorim appears bleak. ‌ There is, however, a familiar issue - the finances of completing a deal. United signed Hojlund for £72m and he has three years remaining on his deal. They are also keen to maximise the funds raised by sales this summer so Amorim's squad can receive the major surgery it requires following their dismal campaign. Almost the entire squad is available for the right price - with only Bruno Fernandes appearing certain to remain having turned down a move to Saudi Arabia. Beyond Hojlund and Sancho, Marcus Rashford is expected to leave and Alejandro Garancho could also exit Reports immediately after the Europa League final suggested that the Argentina attacker was told he could leave. But he still went on a money-spinning post-season tour in Asia and there have been crickets since. He is one of few players who could earn a considerable fee, which also means he is one of few players with the natural ability to shine in a successful United side. Matheus Cunha has already signed from Wolves in a £62.5m deal and United have been linked extensively with Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, who is also being talked up as a potential signing for Tottenham Hotspur after his former head coach Thomas Frank last week made the move from west to north London. Napoli have been linked with a host of players since landing another Serie A title having already added Kevin De Bruyne as a free agent from Manchester City. His former team-mate Jack Grealish is also being talked up as a target, potentially joining a squad already featuring Scottish midfielders Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour.

The National

2 hours ago

• The National

There's a new reason for Scots to visit Naples

The face of Diego Maradona, who secured two other historic championship wins with Napoli, gazes down from murals and giant flags strung over the shaded alleys. But there's another face and name around the city, too. Scotland's Scott McTominay, who joined Napoli last summer, has already become an icon for Neapolitans. His goal that helped the team to its fourth championship has raised him to the saint-like status Maradona enjoys. READ MORE: US enters war with Iran after Donald Trump orders bombing of key nuclear sites McTominay is everywhere in the city now – memorialised in murals, celebrated on T-shirts and modelled into the famous figurines of its Christmas nativity scenes. If you're a fan of the footballer, there's no better place to honour him than in Naples this summer. Sitting at the packed plastic outdoor tables of a trattoria in Naples's historic Quartieri Spagnoli, scooters roaring past beside me, I can see a freshly spray-painted effigy of a noble-looking McTominay on the opposite wall, a seductive Sophia Loren beside him. The grid-plan alleys of the neighbourhood are an open-air gallery of murals, mainly featuring Maradona. Wander the shaded passages and you'll see him in various guises – Christ-like with a crown of thorns, graced with the wings of an angel, and sanctified with a halo. Similar tributes are now being paid to McTominay. Already, a black and white icon of the Scot's face has been inserted in the niche of a deconsecrated votive shrine along Via San Nicola a Nilo. And in an even more blatant statement, a mural on a wall near the San Pietro a Majella music conservatory shows the footballer leaping backwards to kick the ball, substituting the figure of God in the famous Michelangelo painting the Creation of Adam. On the walls of the decadent, crumbling palazzos that line the centro storico neighbourhood you'll see the graffitied phrase 'McFratm' – McTominay's dialectical nickname that roughly translates as 'McBro'. Souvenir stalls also sell flags and scarves with his name, but the most characteristic Neapolitan ode to the player is found on Via San Gregorio Armeno. This narrow alley in the heart of the historic centre is renowned for its workshops producing figurines traditionally used in presepi, or nativity scenes. The quirk here, though, is that Neapolitan nativity scenes are not just populated by Mary, Joseph and other biblical figures. Celebrities, politicians, popes and royalty have long been witnesses to Jesus's birth in Naples. New famous people who are modelled into figurines each year represent a line-up of those the world's been talking about most. Naturally, McTominay has now joined the ranks. Miniature scullptures of sculptures of him, with combed blond hair and a football in his hand, make for the perfect football fan souvenir If you are visiting Naples, when it comes to accommodation, you stay in style like McTominay and his family do at the five-star Romeo Hotel Napoli. Housed inside a Kenzo Tange-designed glass and steel building, the hotel is all sleek ebony panelling, volcanic stone from Mount Vesuvius and textured glass. Despite opening nearly 15 years ago, it still feels very on trend. It is packed with owner and Neapolitan businessman Alfredo Romeo's artworks – from an Andy Warhol of the nearby volcano to Mark Kostabi paintings and Zaha Hadid fireplaces and an eclectic chair collection. The Krug Champagne-branded roof terrace with an infinity pool overlooks the sweeping bay with shadowy Mount Vesuvius behind. Some rooms have panoramic harbour and volcano views, while wellness rooms are fitted with saunas, Turkish baths and jacuzzis. Suites feature opulent marble fireplaces and the Zen Garden suite has a Japanese-inspired outdoor area with an open-air jacuzzi. In the basement, there is a vast, futuristic spa where McTominay might have recovered from his game in the Himalayan salt-walled sauna or beneath the snow cascade in the frigidarium.