9 possible Gary Lineker replacements as Match of the Day host to quit BBC role

The BBC will soon step up a search for the next host of Match of the Day, with Gary Lineker poised to leave his post at the end of the season.

Lineker, who has presented the flagship highlights show since 1999, will leave when his current contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 season. He has agreed a fresh deal with the BBC to remain in position for FA Cup and World Cup coverage, and will bow out after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The former England striker has become part of the furniture on the BBC, rising to become one of the highest-paid presenters on the broadcaster’s roster. No other Match of the Day host has spent longer than him in the presenter’s chair, but there had been speculation over his future before the most recent reports of his departure.

With more than half of the current season remaining, Lineker will have plenty more Saturday evenings on our TV screens before the changing of the guard. Now, though, it’s up to the Beeb to decide which direction to take.

Some of those touted to take over are former footballers, while others come from a broadcast background, and there are a few with plenty of experience of both. Here, Mirror Football takes a closer look at some of the options.

Mark Chapman

Mark Chapman started working for the BBC back in 1996 and has worked on several projects with the company over the years – both on television and radio. While he has a vast knowledge on a number of sports including American Football and Rugby, his footballing expertise could well land him a job on Match of the Day.

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He currently works as the Beeb’s chief rugby league presenter, as well as the presenter of MOTD2 – the latter proving that he has the tools to make the step up to present the main football highlights show. He’s also a loyal and safe pair of hands, making him the ideal candidate for the job should Lineker be shown the door. Chapman has also been fronting the BBC’s new weekly Champions League highlights show this season.

Alex Scott

Ex-England and Arsenal defender Alex Scott has rose to stardom in punditry as of recent, kicking off her media career with the likes of Soccer AM, BBC Sport, BT Sport and Sky Sports. She became the lead presenter of Football Focus in May 2021 after the departure of Dan Walker, but she has also worked on MOTD.

The 40-year-old has stepped into Lineker’s shoes before, including back in March – and has also covered matches at major international tournaments. With experience behind her, Scott could make a good replacement for Lineker.

Gabby Logan

Gabby Logan has worked for the BBC since 2007, deputising for Lineker on MOTD in the past. Meanwhile, she also presented Final Score between 2009 and 2013.

Logan also alternated with Lineker during this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, before presenting the Summer Olympics in Paris for BBC One and BBC Two.

Jason Mohammad

Jason Mohammad has previously worked on Final Score, Match of the Day and MOTD 2, deputising for Lineker and Chapman respectively.

Having been a part of the BBC since 1997, he has also covered the Rio Olympics in 2016 and the RBS Six Nations, and has been part of the BBC’s team for their Champions League highlights show during the 2024-25 season.

Kelly Somers

Kelly Somers enjoyed a wealth of work over the summer with the BBC as the corporation’s England camp reporter for Euro 2024. She has also worked on Final Score alongside Mark Clemmit, providing English Football League coverage.

Most notably, however, Somers has also hosted Match of the Day in the past, appearing in August 2020. It remains to be seen if she would take up a role previously held by Lineker, though.

Theo Walcott

Former Arsenal, Everton and Southampton man Theo Walcott recently began working with Match of the Day as an analyst after hanging up his footballing boots in 2023. Speaking on his appointment, Walcott said: “I grew up watching BBC Sport so I’m over the moon to be joining the line-up as a pundit, it’s a dream come true for me and I’m excited to get going.

“Life after retiring from football was always going to be scary but exciting. There’s plenty for me to learn but I can draw on the career I’ve had to offer up different views and opinions. It will be a fantastic challenge for me.”

While he is unlikely to be handed a promotion to presenter so soon, he certainly has the star power to host the show one day.

Joe Hart

Joe Hart was also brought on by the BBC as an analyst this year, making his MOTD debut earlier this season. The two-time Premier League winner with Manchester City enjoyed an illustrious career in net before hanging his gloves up earlier this year at Celtic.

Speaking on his BBC role, Hart said: “I’m very excited, very proud, and looking forward to growing into an incredible role on something that I grew up watching. I want to try and give back as much as I can from the career I’ve had and keep learning.

“I’m thrilled to be in an around an incredible set up, learning first and foremost in a new part of my life. But I’m also trying to transition over and give my opinion from football through my eyes, still being in a position where I see and feel things, trying to get the understanding of what it takes to be at a level and why things happen.”

Alan Shearer

Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer has been a stalwart with the BBC since retiring from his playing days in 2006, quickly making his way to Match of the Day thanks to his understanding of the game and solid opinions. With a wealth of presenting experience in his bag, Shearer could be one of the BBC’s top picks to fill close pal Lineker’s shoes should he be shown the door.

However, it may be unlikely that Shearer would take the position, given his long relationship with Lineker on a professional and personal level. The striker also showed solidarity with Lineker during his suspension in March 2023, stepping away from his duties until the former Leicester and Spurs striker was reinstated on MOTD.

Dion Dublin

Former Manchester United and Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin has crafted an incredible career in punditry since hanging his boots up in 2008, working on the likes of Sky Sports’ Super Sunday alongside Richard Keys, and the UEFA Champions League with Martin Tyler.

He has also appeared as a regular pundit for BBC Sport over the years, working with Football Focus, Final Score and Match of the Day – as well as FA Cup coverage. The oddsmakers have noted that Dublin may take the role with MOTD wen the time comes to replace Lineker.

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