Following confirmation of Gary Lineker’s departure as Match of the Day host, speculation is rife as who will replace him.
Having been at the helm of Match of the Day since 1999, Lineker has decided to hang up his boots after 25 years, although he will stay on to host live FA Cup coverage plus 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speculation is therefore rife as to who could take over Lineker’s hotseat as BBC looks to a new era beyond this season, so here is a look at who could replace the icon.
Mark Chapman
Long considered by many to be Lineker’s natural successor after over 11 years as Match of the Day 2 host, Mark Chapman is surely the hot favourite given his experience and reputation within the BBC.
Chapman also has stood in for Lineker on selected MOTD highlights show plus has presented plenty of major sporting tournaments over the last decade, underlining his trustworthiness as a safe recognisable pair of hands.
Although BBC Director of Sport – Alex Kay-Jelski might want a younger look to MOTD, it is important not to marginalise the older demographics and Chapman fits the bill as someone enjoyed by all age groups.
The only potential stumbling block would be Chapman’s Rugby League Cup commitments but BBC should easily be able to replace him, should he opt to take up the MOTD role.
Gabby Logan
Should BBC opt to freshen things up and shake off the MOTD’s manly look (despite featuring female pundits) and go for a female host, Gabby Logan stands out as a strong candidate.
As one of BBC’s longest-serving football presenters after 17 years with the broadcaster, Logan has earned her right to be a contender through her versatile sporting knowledge and experience hosting various events – including FA Cup and major tournaments.
With BBC’s MOTD team used beyond the Premier League season and FA Cup in years when have World Cup or UEFA Euros, Logan has showcased her credentials as presenter of select games.
BBC also shouldn’t forget that Logan was the main lead presenter of 2019 & 23 Women’s World Cup plus 2022 UEFA Women’s Euros, which further showcases how safe MOTD would be in her hands.
Logan though has a similar potential stumbling block to Chapman, but only far deeper due to her involvement in Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Athletics, Rugby Six Nations and more.
Whilst it would be a chance for the BBC to freshen up their coverage across those sports, Logan is seen as a key presenter so it would require serious thought beyond just MOTD if she is to step into the MOTD chair on a regular basis.
Alex Scott
In an era when broadcasters are eager to give female sport stars and particularly of minor ethnicity more of a chance, Alex Scott has more than earned her right to be a frontrunner on merit.
With a cheerful personality and plenty of presenting experience across Football Focus, FA Cup, Women’s Super League, UEFA Euros and FIFA World Cup, Scott has already established herself as a top presenter worthy of the MOTD gig.
Scott also has an advantage over Chapman and Logan in that she is an ex footballer, which allows her to bring the same analytical punditry in the same vein as Lineker whilst still acting as the main host.
Whilst some might disagree, Scott seems to fit Kay-Jelski’s vision of attracting younger audiences – whilst double-ticking the debatably ‘woke’ boxes of female and BAME, yet if she gets the gig then she has done on her own merit.
Manish Bhasin
Whilst it is easy to just consider BBC’s main football presenters, Manish Bhasin might be the underdog alternative given his two decades at the BBC, which has included various UEFA Euro and FIFA World Cup matches as host.
In that time, Bhasin has also hosted Football Focus, Final Score and occasionally MOTD2 when Chapman has been unavailable, plus has experience from being the main host of The Football League Show when BBC had EFL rights.
Bhasin though is probably one of more happily underrated presenters at the BBC who isn’t often considered for bigger roles, but don’t rule him out of the running.
Jason Mohammad
Firmly established as one of BBC’s most loyal sporting presenters with nearly three decades at the broadcaster, Jason Mohammad deserves to be considered a candidate to replace Lineker.
Currently part of the Final Score team and a relief MOTD presenter, Mohammad has earned the right to be in the mix through his hard graft and is already known to MOTD fans.
From a BBC perspective, Mohammad would fill a regional tick box as previous permanent lead presenters of MOTD have been English or Irish, which would make Cardiff-born Mohammad the first permanent Welsh lead host of the show.
Kelly Somers
Fitting in with Kay-Jelski’s vision to attract young audiences, BBC Radio Five Live Sports presenter, Kelly Somers could be an outside name given her previous involvement with MOTD.
Although Somers is part of their WSL coverage and also is part of the Final Score coverage, she is now a recognisable part of BBC’s multi-platform football coverage and would be a solid successor to Lineker without much expectation.
If there is one thing that could unfairly count against Somers is that she is 33 years-old and the youngest of the rumoured contenders, whilst she would only tick the female box compared to Logan or Scott who fills regional and BAME boxes respectively.
Somers nevertheless deserves consideration if BBC are to continue investing in young talent to front their big programmes, of which there is no bigger sports programming than MOTD if give her time and support.
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