Daily Mail: Geoff Shreeves is favourite to replace Des Kelly at TNT Sports

Story from Daily Mail:

Geoff Shreeves has been tipped to replace Des Kelly as the main pitchside reporter for TNT Sports after announcing he is quitting Sky Sports.

Mail Sport revealed earlier today that the 58-year-old presenter had become the latest big name casualty of the channel's drive to cut costs.

It is understood that Shreeves was offered the opportunity to continue working for Sky but on a reduced salary. However, he decided to walk away.

The 58-year-old is said to be considering other offers and Sporting Post are now tipping him to replace Kelly as TNT's main pitchside reporter.

However, he's also been linked to the job at BeIN Sports - which would see him reunite with Richard Keys and Andy Gray.

The 58-year-old's departure from Sky Sports is one of many changes at the company. Lead commentator Martin Tyler revealed two weeks ago that he has covered his last game for the station, Graeme Souness recently left his role as a pundit, while Sky have requested that a host of reporting staff reapply for their jobs.

But the departure of Shreeves leaves a huge hole in Sky's football coverage and comes at the end of a season that saw revered Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling also work his final show.

Shreeves has been named as the favourite to replace Kelly as the main pitchside reporter for TNT when BT Sport undergo their transformation.

Kelly recently came under fire for asking Ilkay Gundogan for an autograph live on TV after Manchester City beat Inter Milan to win the Champions League.

Man beat Inter 1-0 in the final thanks to Rodri's strike in the 68th minute of the game at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.

Kelly caught up with Gundogan shortly after he lifted the trophy and discussed the match as the players made their way around the edge of the pitch for a victory lap.

The BT Sport presenter asked Gundogan several questions before pulling off his media armband and reaching into his pocket for a pen at the end of the interview.

Kelly asked the Manchester City captain whether he would sign his arm bands - saying: 'Could you sign this armband? 'Because I'm getting an enormous amount of stick on Twitter for wearing it.'

He went on to add: 'I have to wear that to get on the pitch but everyone thinks I'm the new John Terry or something.'

Gundogan couldn't help but laugh before taking the pen and signing the armband. Kelly was delighted and said: 'This is a memento that I'll keep forever.'

However, football fans across the world were less than impressed with his behaviour and took to social media to complain about the 58-year-old's actions.

One fan wrote: 'Des Kelly asking for an autograph in the middle of an interview is pure cringe. You're a professional on live television, just do your job.'

Another one added: 'Des Kelly asking for an autograph live on television is so embarrassing and, dare I say, unprofessional.'

While one fan wrote: 'Another abysmal performance from BT Sport. Jake Humphrey admitting live on air they've paid Balotelli thousands, Rio saying 'good luck' to Grealish after winning the treble & now Des Kelly getting an autograph live on air. Fans deserve better football coverage.'

However, BT Sport stood by their reporter and said: 'Des and the entire team did an outstanding job throughout the night.'

Additionally, Shreeves' potential appointment is not said to be directly linked to the incident that took place in June.

Shreeves would not be the first big name to join TNT this summer. Laura Woods confirmed earlier this month that she will leave talkSPORT's Sports Breakfast show.

Her role at talkSPORT has seen the presenter win multiple awards for her coverage, including Best Speech Breakfast Show at the ARIAS in 2021.

Therefore, it is likely that Woods will take over Jake Humphrey at TNT Sports after he announced that he will be leaving his role as the main anchor at BT Sport.