Gary Lineker’s recommendation for BBC Match of the Day substitute as he makes personal promise
Gary Lineker revealed his words of advice for his Match of the Day replacement after packing in his 25-year presenting role.
After a legendary 25-year stint, Lineker is hanging up his presenting boots on the BBC’s flagship football show. The former England striker and one of the BBC’s top earners has parted ways with the corporation on good terms, though his successor is yet to be announced.
While Lineker has whispered to the BBC his top pick for the new face of the show, he’s keeping schtum in public. A few familiar faces are in the running, with Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, and Gabby Logan all tipped as potential frontrunners, reports the Mirror.
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The footie icon shared his two cents on who should follow in his footsteps and said: “Obviously I don’t know who it’ll be, and I would never tell publicly my preference. I don’t think that’d be the right thing to do but whoever it is, I would say be yourself.”
(Image: PA)
On the Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker revealed why he’s bowing out now: “I feel this is now the right time. I think [with] the next [highlights] contract, they’re looking to do Match of the Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.”
The BBC is keeping its cards close to its chest about the future of Match of the Day, promising to announce the replacement “in due course.”
They’ve teased some tweaks to the programme, hinting at a revamp to keep up with how fans watch the beautiful game, the broadcaster shared: “The show continually evolves for changing viewing habits bringing its unique and unmatched analysis and commentary across all platforms.”
Footie legend Gary Lineker dished out his top-notch advice for whoever’s going to fill his Match of the Day boots, saying: “I had to fill the ginormous shoes of a certain Des Lynam. I would say just be yourself and enjoy it, it’s a wonderful programme to be a part of. It was brilliant before I took over, and it will be brilliant after I leave.”
Current Match of the Day 2 guru Mark Chapman and the ace of Football Focus, Alex Scott, might just be nabbing the gig once Lineker kicks off his cleats as the main man of the iconic footie show next summer.
Gary’s not hanging up his presenting hat just yet he’s also set to keep dishing out the goods on Match of the Day Top 10 episodes and is all lined up to master the ceremonies at the upcoming duo of Sports Personality of the Year shindigs.
