Who could replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host? The most likely candidates for the job

The BBC has several outstanding candidates to take the helm of the Saturday night institution – but who would be your choice?

Gary Lineker's future as host of the BBC's Match of the Day is uncertain after the corporation decided that he will step back from presenting the show until there is an 'agreed and clear position on his use of social media'.

A BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.

"The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we've got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.

"When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can't have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies."

The presenter, who has been strongly criticised for comparing the government's migration policy to the rhetoric used in 1930s Germany, was confident that he will keep his job. But the BBC's decision has left Lineker's career in limbo. 

Lineker is only Match of the Day’s fifth presenter since the world’s longest-running football programme was first hosted by Kenneth Wolstenhome in 1964. And Lineker has already surpassed Jimmy Hill and Desmond Lynam as Match of the Day’s longest-serving presenter after anchoring the programme since 1999. 

So who should replace Lineker? Drop your pick in the comment section

1 Mark Chapman

Chapman has risen to the position of Match of the Day 2 presenter and has covered for Lineker when the former England captain is absent from the main Saturday night show. Was voted Sports Presenter of the Year by the Sports Journalists’ Association only on Monday and is hugely admired from both within and outside the profession for his versatility and down-to-earth approach. Has also not published a Tweet since January 2021.

2 Gabby Logan

One of the best and most popular sports broadcasters in the country. A huge football fan – her father Terry Yorath was a distinguished player and manager – and has reported extensively on the national sport across various platforms including ITV and the BBC, where she has also presented Match of the Day on occasion. Currently the BBC’s lead Six Nations rugby presenter.

3 Mark Pougatch

Has considerable broadcasting experience following several decades on 5Live before becoming ITV’s lead football presenter in 2015. He also co-hosted ITV’s coverage of the 2019 rugby World Cup.

4 Dan Walker

The former Football Focus anchor has also presented Match of the Day on occasion in Lineker’s absence. Walker has since switched focus from sport and worked as a presenter on BBC Breakfast from 2016 before moving to Channel Five last year, where he is now one of the presenting faces of 5News.

5 Jermaine Jenas

Another player-turned broadcaster who has also made the added transition from football pundit to football presenter. A former Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder, Jenas has presented BBC’s The One Show – a flagship magazine programme – since 2020 and has been a Match of the Day analyst alongside Lineker.

6 Alex Scott

Like Lineker, Alex Scott entered sports broadcasting following a successful playing career that included 140 England caps. She became the first female pundit for a men’s World Cup in 2018 when she was part of the BBC panel and, after also presenting The One Show and Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday, succeeded Dan Walker as host of Football Focus in 2021.