New contender for Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day job picked after Mark Chapman ‘refusal’
Reshmin Chowdhury has been earmarked for a Match of the Day role.
After more than 25 years fronting BBC’s top footie highlights show, Lineker is set to hang up his presenting boots at the end of the 2024/25 season. However, Lineker won’t be disappearing from our screens just yet and will stick with the Beeb till the final whistle of the 2026 World Cup
Mark Chapman was in the running at first, but despite hosting Match of the Day 2 and the their Champions League highlights, he’s said no to the gig.
BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, who once tried bagging Chowdhury for The Athletic, is a fan of the TNT Sports presenter.
Upon confirming Lineker’s interim deal, Kay-Jelski was all praises: “Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup.”
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
“After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week. He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football,” reports the Mirror.
Lineker was over the moon with the new deal, saying: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”
If the rumours about Chapman turning down the gig are true, Danny Murphy might be disappointed. The ex-England ace and regular BBC pundit admitted Chapman should be the man for the role: “I feel that they’ve got [a candidate].
“Mark Chapman, who I work with a lot on Sundays,” adding, “I think he’s a brilliant presenter and very, very knowledgeable on sport and football. Somebody who is ready-made for it.”
