Former England star named as fans’ favourite to take over Match of the Day with pundit more popular than Gary Lineker
FANS want a former England international to become the next Match of the Day host.
Gary Lineker confirmed earlier this month that he will step down as host of the BBC highlights programme at the end of the season after 25 years in the role.
A number of broadcasters have been linked with the role including the likes of Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Kelly Somers.
But a poll carried out from Ipsos of football fans between the ages of 18 and 75 has revealed a left-field name as the viewers’ choice for the position.
That individual is Alan Shearer.
A total of 71 per cent have a “favourable” view of him as a pundit, while 22 per cent would like to see him as the next host of Match of the Day.
That is a higher figure than any other candidate – with the next best being Chapman at 20 per cent, followed by Scott at 12 and Logan at ten per cent.
Ian Wright has the next highest pundit favourability percentage at 65 per cent.
Lineker is down in third at 57, narrowly ahead of Roy Keane [56], Gary Neville [55] and Micah Richards [54].
Recent reports have claimed Shearer penned a new deal with the BBC in the wake of Lineker’s departure.
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He also joked he would not sign an extension on Match of the Day if pal Richards was named as Lineker’s successor.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, he said: “That is a f***ing massive concern by the way [Richards hosting Match of the Day].
“I’m not signing my new contract if you’re a presenter by the way.”
Shearer’s former England team-mate Paul Gascoigne recently tipped the Newcastle legend to take the Match of the Day job because he “loves a bit of money”.
Premier League record scorer Shearer has been a pundit on the BBC show for nearly two decades.
He has also worked for Amazon Prime on their football coverage.
Who could replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host?
GARY LINEKER dropped the shock news that he is QUITTING Match of the Day.
The popular presenter, 63, took over hosting duties on the flagship BBC programme from Des Lynam in 1999.
But after more than 25 years in the studio hotseat, he has called time on his MOTD gig.
But as part of a huge shake-up, the BBC is considering rotating the presenters on a weekly basis.
So with Lineker vacating the chair, new names will step into his giant boots. But who could they be?
MARK CHAPMAN
Chapman, 51, is the obvious early favourite to follow on from Lineker as MOTD presenter.
He already has the gig as MOTD2 host on a Sunday night plus landed the presenting job for the new BBC Champions League highlights show.
ALEX SCOTT
Scott gets the nod from the Beeb bosses when Lineker is away.
The former right-back, 40, is used to presenting the Saturday night show as well as live match coverage – plus ticks the box as a former England international.
GABBY LOGAN
Like Scott, Logan, 51, is one of the understudies to step in when Lineker is not available.
She has done most gigs since joining the BBC in 2007, including Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year and Final Score.
MICAH RICHARDS
Lineker’s top pick to replace him is exuberant former Man City defender Richards.
The departing host told his close pal, 36, on their Stick to Football podcast: “I’d love to see you take over Micah, I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”
JASON MOHAMMAD
Mohammad could earn the “promotion” from Final Score to Match of the Day.
The 51-year-old Welshman – who took over from Logan in 2013 – is one of the BBC’s top earners already and is more senior than fellow Final Score and BBC Sport broadcaster Kelly Somers, who could in theory become the main live host for the afternoon slot.
JEFF STELLING
He couldn’t, could he? While Lineker has been the face of Saturday night TV for football fans for years, the face of the afternoons was Stelling in his role as Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday presenter.
He would bring plenty of on-screen charisma, wit and legendary TV expertise – but at nearly 70 and currently with talkSPORT, the Hartlepool fan would not be a cheap or long-term appointment.