After announcing on WEEI’s “Middays With MFB” program this afternoon that he is returning to the city from which he arrived just a little over a year ago, Tim Benz took to Twitter and revealed an awareness of his audience that never quite reflected in the ratings.

“As you may have just heard, Thursday’s show will be my last at WEEI,’’ he wrote on his @TimBenzWEEI account. “(I’ll pause for a moment so Pats fans can contain their sobbing).”

Benz, who was born in Boston but who came to WEEI from 970-AM in Pittsburgh, tweeted that he is returning there for an opportunity that begins next month.

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“Im happy to announce that I’ll be returning to work in Pittsburgh in early Aug. Details abt where & when to follow over the next week or two,’’ he wrote.

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Hired last May to join Lou Merloni and Christian Fauria on WEEI’s revamped program in the midday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. time slot, Benz quickly earned a reputation as a host who was willing to antagonize Patriots fans.

He didn’t hide his Steelers loyalties, and he said on Twitter that a main reason he is returning to Pittsburgh is because his home and family is there.

“I want to thank the managers at WEEI for allowing this move after granting me a tremendous opportunity when they hired me as host of MFB,’’ he wrote.

“However, I underestimated the difficulties that go along with working a job in one city while trying to maintain a home & marriage in another.”

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“Bost was every bit the city I wanted 2 experience,’’ he wrote in another tweet. “But it is best for me personally&professionally 2 be back home full time in PGH w/ my wife.”

It’s uncertain at the moment who will replace Benz on the midday show, which was sixth in its time slot in the spring Nielsen Audio ratings with a so-so 5.3 share.

It would not be a surprise if Glenn Ordway, who hosted the long-running afternoon drive show on WEEI before he was fired in February 2013, drew serious consideration.