Jerry Springer played unlikely role in Ian Wright’s huge announcement

Guardiola gives verdict on Man City’s win over Arsenal

As tributes pour in for legendary talk-show host Jerry Springer, it is easy to forget that the American surreally played a major role in the end of Ian Wright’s football career. The former Arsenal and England striker’s playing days were winding down at the turn of the millennium, and he chose an unusual venue to announce that he would be hanging up his boots for good.

Famed for once standing alone as Arsenal’s record goalscorer, Wright was a major figure in English football, enjoying a prolific spell with Crystal Palace before heading to Highbury in 1991.

Seven goal-laden seasons followed, including a mesmerising 35-goal campaign in 1993/94, before brief spells at West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Celtic and Burnley. After four goals for the Clarets in what was then called the Second Division, Wright announced his retirement from professional football in 2000.

Curiously enough, however, he chose to do so on an episode of The Jerry Springer Show, unveiling the major development before normal service resumed and the next set of guests took part in a fistfight on stage.

Don’t miss…
Ralf Rangnick throws hat in ring for Tottenham role with Nagelsmann[LATEST]

“It’s a really hard decision,” Wright told Springer. “I’ve got all the people in Burnley, the manager is a close friend and I’ve made really good friends up there. My family are the major factor in me not playing any more, plus I have had a very good career and it’s other people’s turn now.”

Wright would go on to pursue what is still a successful career in television, and he still appears as a regular fixture on the BBC’s flagship weekly football programme, Match of the Day, alongside the likes of Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker.

Read more…
Newcastle ‘tracking’ their own Gnonto as bargain £4.5m deal eyed[GOSSIP]
Liverpool ‘eye Ibrahim Sangare’ as Man Utd icon predicts greatness[TRANSFERS]
Chelsea ‘plan Inter swap deal talks’ as fresh Lukaku issue crops up[REPORT]

Springer enjoyed a 27-year stint presiding over his eponymous tabloid talk show, which famously featured chaos of all descriptions including episodes titled The Man Who Married A Horse and My Girlfriend is a Man.

Almost 5,000 episodes aired during the near-three-decade-long stretch, with the show running from 1991 to 2018. Springer’s family confirmed that he had died on Thursday morning at the age of 79 in his Chicago home following a short illness.

Sign up here to watch Tottenham vs Man Utd live on BT Sport

Source: Read Full Article