Who Will Replace Gary Lineker? Betting on the New Host of Match of the Day
Gary Lineker is leaving BBC. It’s now official. He will continue hosting Match of the Day until the end of the season and stay with the channel until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. What will happen to the world’s most famous football show, and who will replace the charismatic and controversial Lineker? In our review – bookmakers’ odds and betting tips.
New MOD Host Betting Odds
Lineker has hosted the show for a record-breaking 25 years. Among the top contenders to take his seat are rising stars of journalism, former sports legends, and renowned pundits.
Top 5 Candidates to Succeed Lineker
Journalists
One of the leading trends in appointing new hosts on modern TV is continuity within the network. For example, Dermot O’Leary secured his role on The X Factor after working with ITV.
Mark Chapman replaced Colin Murray on BBC Radio 5 Live as someone already embedded in the BBC team. He’s also the bookmakers’ favorite to succeed Gary Lineker. Chapman brings a wealth of experience, having regularly filled in as a presenter on Match of the Day and hosted its sister show, Match of the Day 2, for over a decade.
Gabby Logan is another prominent journalist. After launching her broadcasting career at Sky, she transitioned to ITV, where she stood in for Des Lynam on The Premiership. Joining BBC in 2007, Logan has occasionally replaced Lineker on Match of the Day and covered major sporting events such as the Six Nations and the Olympics.
However, Logan's age may be a factor. The average age of a Match of the Day host at the start of their tenure is 41, seemingly chosen to ensure a long stint. Notably, each successive host has held the role longer than their predecessor. At 51 years old (the same age as Chapman), Logan is above this threshold. Nonetheless, if the BBC aims to preserve the tradition and expertise of the host while making a bold gender shift, Logan is an ideal candidate.
As the season draws to a close, Kelly Cates’ chances of stepping into Lineker’s role are steadily increasing. A seasoned presenter on both radio and television, football runs in her veins—she is the daughter of Liverpool and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish.
Younger than the previously mentioned candidates, Cates has built an impressive career. She has hosted BBC Radio 5 Live’s 606 football phone-in and more recently presented the station’s Football Daily podcast.
Like Gabby Logan, Cates offers both expertise and the potential for greater gender diversity in the role. Yet it’s unclear whether she could be lured away from Sky Sports, especially as the network has already vowed to retain their star presenter.
David Jones, another leading Sky Sports personality, is also in the mix. However, unlike his peers, his limited ties to BBC make him a less likely candidate.
Pundits
Alex Scott effortlessly switches between roles as a pundit and journalist, having become one of the first mainstream female football analysts after retiring from playing in 2017.
The former England and Arsenal midfielder made history as the BBC’s first female analyst at a men’s World Cup in 2018. A constant presence at both men’s and women’s tournaments since then, Scott made headlines during England’s opening game at the Qatar World Cup by wearing a rainbow armband in a bold statement of support for inclusivity.
At 40 years old, she is articulate, charismatic, and offers BBC the opportunity to enhance both gender and racial representation.
In contrast to Scott, two white cisgender ex-footballers of global renown—Gary Neville and Alan Shearer—are also in contention for the Match of the Day presenter role. Both bring star power and a wealth of footballing experience.
Next Permanent Presenter of Match of the Day
Bookmakers don’t seriously consider the two legendary players and pundits as candidates. Alan Shearer, despite 20 years in television, has never risen to host a major show. Meanwhile, Gary Neville is known for his outspoken political views, frequently expressing support for the Labour Party.
Given the controversy surrounding Gary Lineker’s comments on immigration policy, it’s unlikely the BBC would want another potentially “problematic” presenter.
Previous Hosts of Match of the Day
Personality |
Age at the time of appointment |
Years in Charge |
Previous Job |
Kenneth Wolstenholme |
44 y.o. |
4 |
Football commentator |
David Coleman |
42 y.o. |
14 |
BBC Host |
Des Lynam |
40 y.o. |
16 |
Radio Journalist |
Gary Lineker |
38 y.o. |
25 |
Professional Football Player |
Match of the Day has never had a Black presenter, nor has anyone under the age of 38 been appointed to the role. Both of these traditions could be broken by the charismatic and energetic former Manchester City and England defender, Micah Richards.
Richards represents a modern approach to the role, captivating viewers with a mix of sharp analysis and lighthearted banter, creating a sense of camaraderie between the pundits and the host. He also has the endorsement of Gary Lineker himself, who, while discussing the speculation about his successor on The Rest is Football, addressed Richards directly:
Final Thoughts
Shuffling hosts on TV networks is an unpredictable market. In the weeks leading up to an announcement, bookmakers may occasionally get it right, as seen with Maya Jama landing Love Island: Winter Edition in 2023. However, in the same year’s Big Brother revival, both frontrunners failed spectacularly. Overall, in the past five years, early favorites have won only about 10% of the time.
Mark Chapman is the bookmakers’ top choice for a reason. He’s familiar to audiences, deeply embedded in BBC’s structure, and is a safe, controversy-free option. While he’s older than the ideal average age for a Match of the Day host, he’s a logical pick if the BBC prioritizes tradition or wants someone to guide the show through a transitional period.
On the other hand, if the network is planning a bold shake-up to attract younger viewers, Alex Scott emerges as the frontrunner. As a Black woman, she represents the push for inclusivity and diversity. Moreover, Scott isn’t one to shy away from confrontation, as demonstrated when she stood her ground against a former House of Lords member criticizing her accent.
In essence, the decision hinges on whether BBC opts for continuity or a generational shift in one of its most iconic roles.
Next Permanent Presenter of Match of the Day
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