Surprise new name linked with MOTD job after Gary Lineker announcement

Gary Lineker will step down as Match of the Day host at the end of the 2024-25 season, but the BBC are now looking for his successor

The search for Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day replacement is underway. (Image: BBC)

TNT Sports presenter Reshmin Chowdhury is reportedly in the running to take over from Gary Lineker as the host of Match of the Day. Lineker is set to depart his role at the end of the 2024-25 season, after gracing the BBC’s premier football highlights programme for over 25 years.

However, he’s not leaving the BBC entirely just yet, having agreed to a new contract that will see him cover live football matches until the end of the 2026 World Cup.

Mark Chapman, who currently hosts Match of the Day 2 and was also featured on the BBC’s Champions League highlights show this season, was initially considered a potential successor. However, it’s reported that he turned down a proposed job-share arrangement that would have seen him share presenting duties with Kelly Somers.

With more than six months to go before a new host needs to step in, the BBC has ample time to make their choice. That choice might well be Chowdhury, who, according to The Mail, is favoured by some within the corporation, having previously worked as a commentator for them.

BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, who once tried to recruit Chowdhury for The Athletic, praised Lineker following the announcement of his short-term deal, saying: “Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup.

“After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week. He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football.”

Lineker himself also expressed his feelings about the decision: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen,” he stated.

Danny Murphy, a long-time pundit for BBC’s football highlights, previously endorsed Mark Chapman for the role should he choose to accept it: “I feel that they’ve got [a candidate]. Mark Chapman, who I work with a lot on Sundays,” he noted on talkSPORT, adding, “I think he’s a brilliant presenter and very, very knowledgeable on sport and football. Somebody who is ready-made for it.

“Whether he wants it or not, I don’t know. That’s a different question, you’d have to ask him. But he would be the glaring, obvious choice for me.”