Odds on Gary Lineker’s Successor for Match of the Day

Gary Lineker's future as the host of Match of the Day has hit the headlines again recently. The former England footballer has fronted the football highlights show since 1999, and over the past couple of seasons the conversations about his potential replacement appear to have increased.

While he hasn't ever stated he wants to leave MOTD anytime soon, Lineker joked earlier this month that the end was near for him on the popular programme. He opened an episode with the line, "Hello, seven games on the way and it’s my final show...Before the international break." 

Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards chuckled about the gag, and Lineker also recently confirmed he, Shearer, and Richards have all started talks about new contracts.

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Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said, "It's been a strange few days, as you know. I'm coming to the end of my contract in the summer. So it's natural you have to have conversations. They've just started. I don't know why it's all spiralling out of control but all is OK.

"I'm more concerned about my cold. I started not feeling well on my way home. Terrible throat."

"Richards joked that the most 'concerning' thing was his odds to replace his pal in the Match of the Day hotseat—but Gary is keen to see that happen. He replied, "I'd love to see you take over, mate; I think you'd be brilliant in the chair."

Sources recently told The Sun on Sunday newspaper that Lineker's contract talks are "business as usual," but it's known Lineker's Match of the Day deal is up in summer 2025. There has been speculation aplenty that it could be his final season in the hotseat—but who will replace him?

Market Mover Micah

Richards isn't exactly graced with a CV of TV presenting successes—nor failures, in all fairness—but he's brought a fresh energy to Match of the Day since landing a punditry job.

Following Lineker's backing for his job, the former Manchester City defender's price to land the top BBC position has decreased. The England star is now the 13/8 favourite for the role, but it would be a risk for the BBC given Richards' lack of TV hosting experience.

If the corporation are looking for a safer pair of hands, then they could do far worse than 2/1 second favourite Mark Chapman, who has stepped in for Lineker on occasions and has been a reliable host of Match of the Day 2. 

Gabby Logan (3/1) is another who has plenty of TV experience under her belt, and while 5/2 chance Alex Scott hasn't held as many broadcasting positions as Logan or Chappers—as he is affectionately known—her career on the small screen has gone from strength to strength.

Scott is a big asset for the BBC and was announced as the new Football Focus presenter in 2021 after Dan Walker stepped down, so she is likely to be in the Match of the Day conversation when it arises.

Gazza Backs Shearer And Southgate 

Like Richards, fellow pundit Shearer has also dropped in price for the job after he received the backing of his fellow former England teammate Paul Gascoigne.

Paul Gascoigne backs former England teammate Alan Shearer to take over the Match of the Day hosting job. (Image: PA Images / Alamy)

Gazza appears to think his pal Lineker isn't going to do the job for much longer, and while he isn't exactly renowned for his work in TV production, the ex-Spurs star thinks Shearer (4/1) or even former England manager Gareth Southgate (33/1) are worth a shot at the Match of the Day job.

He told SportsCasting: "Lineker is quitting Match of the Day isn't he? I thought, I wonder if Shearer is going to take over or Southgate because he's been doing a little bit of commentary. I reckon Shearer will take over because he loves a bit of money. He's so tight he only cries from one eye!"

Fellow former England stars-turned-pundits Dion Dublin (10/1) and Ian Wright (25/1) could also be in the conversation, but an experienced TV head looks like a more likely appointment.

Poach Of The Day

If the BBC are looking to make a statement move, then they could poach Soccer Saturday presenter Simon Thomas from Sky. Thomas knows all about the corporation after working on Blue Peter for six years, and he is 6/1 to take over from Lineker.

Others who could be in the frame include 5/1 chance Kelly Somers - who presenters Premier League coverage on Amazon Prime, and her 9/1 namesake Kelly Cates.

Kelly Somers and Kelly Cates are both contenders to take over the hosting role. (Image: Action Foto Sport / Mark Pain)

But one person who won't be making the BBC's shortlist, unless there is a dramatic U-turn, is Jermaine Jenas. The former footballer was recently sacked by the BBC and has since admitted he sent 'inappropriate messages' to two colleagues on The One Show and that he is 'ashamed' of his behaviour, but insisted to The Sun newspaper he had done 'nothing illegal.'

Jenas' axing meant he lost his regular presenting job on The One Show, and he was let go from his punditry role on Match of the Day. Worse still, Lineker's main job had looked Jenas' for the taking. The ex-Newcastle United midfielder even admitted his interest in the position last year, telling the Daily Mail newspaper: "I would obviously be up for it—it’s Match of the Day and it would be a great opportunity.

"Gary has got plenty of legs in him and I don’t see him going anywhere soon. But when that day comes, which it will do, I would like to think that I have at least thought about filling the position. If that is the case, then I would obviously jump at it."

What's more, Lineker previously said Jenas was 'probably drifting more towards my role' and recently hinted he may not have that long left in the hotseat. When asked in August about his Match of the Day future, Lineker told BBC Breakfast: "I don't know. Depends how long they want me, I suppose. I love doing it at the moment—I've still got another year left, at least."

If he does bow out at the end of the season, Lineker will be fondly remembered for his time fronting Match of the Day. But the BBC will have a tough job picking an adequate successor.