Revealed: The shock identify BBC insiders assume is on Match of the Day listing to switch Gary Lineker – MIKE KEEGAN’S INSIDE SPORT
- BBC are hunting for a new anchor with Lineker to leave at the end of the season
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Potential changes to Match of the Day, along with the race to replace Gary Lineker, remain the talk of the BBC.
Insiders believe that one move being considered is to introduce a segment to the highlights show of news from behind the scenes, which would see a journalist brought in to give some off-the-field detail.
The appearance of Roman Kemp on Radio 5 Live, on which he recently hosted the 606 phone-in with Robbie Savage, has also set tongues wagging.
With Chris Sutton covering Celtic’s late clash at Hearts, the 31-year-old stepped in to co-host. Kemp, son of Spandau Ballet star Martin, performed well after a nervous start and is known to have admirers in high places.
Whether the BBC’s new director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski would give him Lineker’s shoes to fill, however, remains to be seen.
BBC bosses remain on the hunt to find someone to replace Lineker at Match of the Day host
The recent appearance of Roman Kemp (pictured) on Radio 5 Live has set tongues wagging
Mark Chapman (left) and Gabby Logan (right) among favourites to step into Lineker’s shoes
Chelsea to bring in further hires
Chelsea continue to get their act together on and off the field – and are set to bring in a number of further hires on the business side of their operation.
The West London outfit want to bring in a director of corporate affairs and communications to oversee a host of pressing issues, not least the situation with the stadium. Stamford Bridge – or more accurately its relatively small capacity of 40,343 – remains an issue that needs to be resolved.
No decisions are thought to have been taken over the future of the club’s historic home. It is a complex situation, not least because of the situation with the Chelsea Pitch Owners, which holds the freehold over the stadium and could potentially block any attempt at a move.
The new addition would also be responsible for a variety of areas across the business including policy and regulation, with officials keeping a close eye on the political situation both in Europe and at home, with a new regulator incoming. On the playing side, moves may well be forthcoming on scouting, data and analytics.
While it is early in the season, there is a view that Chelsea are reaping the dividends of work put in 12 months ago and that, with a young squad on long contracts, they appear to be well set for a period of success.
Chelsea continue to get their act together on and off the field – and are set to bring in a number of further hires on the business side of their operation
Padel’s at the wheel
While the eyes of the Formula One world were on the track for this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix, many of the drivers had already taken part in a keenly contested competition elsewhere.
The padel court at Doha’s Waldorf Astoria threw its doors open to drivers and sports figures from across the world in the days building up to the big race.
Insiders say British pair George Russell and Lando Norris were among those to catch the eye while Novak Djokovic took on Premier Padel (and Paris Saint-Germain) chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Lando Norris was a Formula One star to catch the eye on the padel court at Doha’s Waldorf Astoria this weekend
Wales to tackle the FA
The attempt by Welsh clubs playing in the English league to qualify for Europe by entering the Welsh League Cup will now go before the full FA Board, rather than just a sub-committee.
In what would appear to be a blow for those wanting to ‘have their Welsh cake and eat it’, as one English exec quipped, EFL clubs have been told that the decision has been made ‘due to the importance and significance of the topic’.
Clubs have also been assured that they will be given the opportunity to respond as part of the consultation process.
The attempt by Welsh clubs playing in the English league to qualify for Europe by entering the Welsh League Cup will now go before the full FA Board
Ignorance is Faes
Not all of Leicester City’s footballers were out partying while manager Steve Cooper was getting sacked. A group including Conor Coady and Harry Winks were spotted in a Copenhagen nightclub, close to a sign which read ‘Enzo I Miss U’, which many interpreted as a dig at Enzo Maresca’s replacement, hours after the defeat by Chelsea which saw Cooper punted despite his side not being in the relegation zone.
However, with the squad not expected back in until Tuesday, centre-back Wout Faes was spotted in the more tranquil surroundings of Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire. Indeed, as club bosses were harshly deciding that Cooper was out of his depth, Faes was relaxing in the spa’s swimming pool.
Wout Faes was not out partying while Leicester players were snapped out just before Steve Cooper’s sacking
In the footage obtained by Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet, a sign reading ‘Enzo I miss u’ was held aloft while players including Winks (right) laughed and film the moment on their smartphones
The Gretsy Lights
Christmas lights of a different variety have arrived at Crewe Alexandra courtesy of Cheshire Police, rather than Santa Claus.
Officers arrived at Gresty Road last week armed with LED grow lights, which they had seized following a raid at a cannabis factory.
With the League Two side’s pitch having suffered in previous winters, the donations were well-received by club staff, with one insider claiming they now had their own version of the Northern Lights.
