The current Premier League season will mark the end of an era for the most famous football highlights show on TV. After 25 years in the hot seat, Gary Lineker will step down as presenter at the end of the current season, with the ex-England international believing that now is the right time to depart. When outlining the reasoning behind his decision, the 63-year-old stated, “They’re looking to do Match of the Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.”
Most would agree that Lineker has done a fine job in stepping into the formidable shoes of Des Lynam, who left the role in 1999. Forming an entertaining rapport with Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, and others, Lineker has ensured that Match Of The Day has remained a Saturday night institution amongst football fans. Happily, for fans of the presenter, we will see a little more of Lineker before he heads into the sunset, with the BBC confirming that he will stay on to front the FA Cup and 2026 World Cup coverage.
That “slightly differently” comment may concern long-term fans of the show. How will Match Of The Day look when the next four-year contract begins in 2025/26? Increasing social media focus and influencers as pundits? We can only hope not, but one thing is for sure, the BBC will need a new presenter. Lineker stopped short of naming his preferred candidate, but if the rumour mill is to be believed, the new face of the show is most likely to emerge from one of the following six.
Mark Chapman
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Perhaps the most obvious choice is to hand the role to the man who currently fronts Match Of The Day 2. Hugely popular with long-term fans, thanks to his relaxed and often humorous style, Chappers brings immense experience, having also presented the BBC’s Rugby League coverage, the EFL Cup for Sky, and leading sports radio shows Sports Report and The Monday Night Club.
There would be few complaints amongst existing fans of the show, but whether the BBC deems the 51-year-old as the right man to lead a slightly different approach is not so certain.
Alex Scott
Another familiar face to BBC viewers, Scott enjoyed a 16-year playing career with Arsenal, Birmingham City, Boston Breakers, and the English national side, in addition to representing Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Since hanging up her boots, Scott has made a success of her second career as a broadcaster. Beginning on Soccer AM, the 40-year-old has appeared on BBC Sport, BT Sport, and Sky Sports, and became the BBC’s first female football pundit at the 2018 World Cup. A regular co-presenter of Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday and the BBC’s The One Show, her combination of playing experience and 21st Century sensibilities may enhance her claims.
Kelly Cates
The daughter of Liverpool legend, Sir Kenny Dalglish, will be no stranger to Premier League fans thanks to her role as lead presenter of Sky Sports Friday Night Football and Saturday Night Football. Boasting sports roles with Setanta, ESPN, ITV, Channel 4, STV, and Channel 5 on her impressive CV, the likeable Cates looks a good fit for existing fans and may also fit the brief of attracting a new demographic of viewers.
Kelly Somers
Following four years working in the media department of AFC Bournemouth, 33-year-old Somers has become an increasingly familiar face to football viewers. Making her breakthrough when presenting coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup for Optus Sports, she was then selected by the BBC to present the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup programming. Now a regular presenter of The Women’s Football Show and Football Focus, Somers experienced the MOTD hot seat when presenting the 2020 FA Community Shield edition. The vibrant Somers ticks many boxes if the BBC opts to create a more youthful Match Of The Day experience.
David Jones
Possibly the biggest name amongst the reported candidates is the man who currently fronts Sky Sports live coverage. Already popular with fans, Jones brings a professional yet welcoming style and invariably combines well with pundits. An ability to mesh with characters ranging from Roy Keane to Micah Richards is a fine endorsement of his affable nature, and having sat in the Sky hot seat since 2016, he would bring more experience than some others on this list. A sound choice, but would he swap live coverage for a highlights show?
Reshmin Chowdury
One name gaining increasing coverage is that of 46-year-old Reshmin Chowdhury. The name may not be as instantly recognizable as others on the list, but Chowdury’s experience in the industry is hard to fault. Previously working as a producer on the main news bulletins at ITN, she joined the BBC Sport team in 2010 following two seasons as a presenter for Real Madrid TV.
Whilst at the BBC, Reshmin filled a variety of roles, including sports presenter for the BBC News Channel, Match of the Day 2 stand-in presenter, World Cup coverage presenter, and presenter of The Women’s Football show. Previously courted (unsuccessfully) by BBC Director of Sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, during his time with The Athletic, she may find this offer tougher to resist.
A Need to Strike the Right Balance
When selecting the new man or woman for the role, the BBC faces a tough dilemma. A desire to move in a new direction – possibly targeted towards the social media masses – is hardly a surprise and may be viewed as a way to ensure longevity. On the other hand, there must be a reasonable argument that if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
After all, Match of the Day has been with us in some form since 1964. Few shows of any kind can boast a similar lifetime (Coronation Street and Blue Peter are two notable exceptions). Whilst a desire to move with the times feels inevitable, doing so at the cost of viewers who have supported the show for so long may be unwise. Over to you Alex Kay-Jelski.