The once beloved institution turned all round whipping boy that is Match of the Day has unveiled its first ever post Alan Hansen panel.
Hansen, who was once regarded as the bright young thing of British punditry (back in the days when he was accompanied by Jimmy Hill) was often criticised in later years for emitting a sleep-inducing laziness and complacency.
However, on his good days he added a badly wanted touch of detached gravitas to the sofa. He even briefly succeeded in puncturing the air of insufferable, matey banter that has poisoned the MOTD couch for years.
However, the news arrives now that the most unpopular co-commentator in the history of the world is set to join the Match of the Day panel as a regular analyst.
Phil Neville inspired a ludicrously vitriolic reaction for his supposedly offensively bad commentary of England's loss to Italy in the first game of the World Cup. Undeterred, he turned down a place in Louis Van Gaal's managerial setup to take up the new role.
Ruud Gullit, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Savage, Danny Murphy. Alan Shearer is also continuing on.
