Who Might be the Next Host of Match of the Day?
Who Might be the Next Host of Match of the Day?
After 16 years as a professional footballer, Gary Lineker entered the world of sports presenting and took over from Des Lynam as the host of Match of the Day (MOTD), a football coverage show, in 1999.
In addition to being the highest-paid presenter on BBC Sport, he has had the longest tenure of all MOTD presenters. However, on November 11, 2024, Gary Lineker announced he would leave the show after the 2024-25 Premier League season is over.
Following his announcement, there has been much speculation about who will take over from Gary Lineker next season. Keep reading for predictions on who might be the next host of Match of the Day.
1xBet’s Odds at 2.25 predict a 44.4% chance that Laura Woods will become the next permanent host of Match of the Day after Gary Lineker ::: Discover the current Odds now HERE
Mark Chapman
Mark Chapman is the most likely candidate to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day.
Many football fans view him as the most obvious choice, as he has hosted MOTD 2 for over a decade, and he fronts the football debate show Monday Night Club on BBC 5 Live.
Chapman could be a seamless replacement, as he’s a popular, familiar face with MOTD fans, and he has often filled in for Gary Lineker during occasional absences on the main show.
Kelly Cates
Kelly Cates has become a favorite among Sky Sports viewers, as she regularly impresses with her extensive sporting knowledge and fun sense of humor.
She has football running through her veins, as she’s the proud daughter of Kenny Daglish, a former Liverpool player and manager.
In 2006, Cates stepped away from Sky, joining the Premier League ESPN team from 2009 to 2010 before presenting sports news on GMTV and Daybreak.
In 2016, she returned to Sky Sports News to present the Football League coverage, and she now hosts some of the biggest games in the Premier League alongside Roy Keane, Gary Neville, and Jamie Carragher.
As she is a warm, familiar, and recognizable face with English football fans, she might be a natural choice to replace Gary Lineker in 2025.
Alex Scott
Like Gary Lineker, Alex Scott has extensive experience on the football field, as she is a former Arsenal and England right back and represented Great Britain during the Summer Olympics 2012.
After retiring in 2017, Scott turned her attention to sports broadcasting, co-presenting Match of the Day Kickabout.
She also made history by becoming the first female football pundit to host the men’s FIFA World Cup in 2018, and in the same year, she became the first female football pundit on Sky Sports.
She is now a presenter of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards and often guest presents The One Show on BBC One.
Due to her sporting background and popularity with football fans, she could be a smart choice to take over as the MOTD host.
Gabby Logan
Gabby Logan is one of the most recognizable and respected sports presenters in the UK.
For 20 years, she has hosted major sports coverage, such as the UEFA Champions League, Six Nations Championship, World Athletics Championships, and Paris Olympics.
Also, she has often stepped in for Gary Lineker when absent on Match of the Day, meaning she might slip into the role of host with ease.
Of course, other respected sports presenters could replace Gary Lineker next year, such as David Jones, Dan Walker, Micah Richards, Alan Shearer, and Laura Woods.