Gary Lineker replacement twist with BBC chief considering surprise candidate to take over on Match of the Day
TNT Sports’ Reshmin Chowdhury is under consideration to replace Gary Lineker as the host of Match of the Day, according to reports.
It was confirmed last week that Lineker would be leaving the show at the end of the campaign, having been the main presenter since the departure of Des Lynham to ITV back in 1999.
The BBC also confirmed that Lineker would leave the broadcaster for good in 2026, after the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Many names have been tipped to take over in the time since, ranging from Mark Chapman to Kelly Somers, Alex Scott to Micah Richards.
According to the Daily Mail, however, Chowdhury is in the mix to replace Lineker as well.
It’s claimed the 46-year-old ‘has admirers’ within the BBC, having previously commentated on major tournaments for the corporation.
The report also says that BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski is a huge fan of Chowdhury, too.
In his previous role at The Athletic, he reportedly tried to bring Chowdhury in.
While he was unsuccessful on that occasion, however, the chance to present Match of the Day may be too good for Chowdhury to turn down.
She is not, however, the frontrunner for the post.
That remains Chapman, who has fronted the BBC’s coverage of Match of the Day 2 ever since the departure of Colin Murray in 2013.
Last week, reports swirled suggesting that Match of the Day could use various presenters next season – in what would represent a major break from tradition.
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Yet it was claimed Chapman wasn’t keen on that idea, with the 51-year-old instead preferring to take it on permanently himself.
As for Lineker, the 63-year-old is poised to focus on his podcast business.
His Rest is Football podcast has raked in the millions, with the former footballer often airing his thoughts along with Richards and Alan Shearer.
Meanwhile, Lineker has spoken about his potential successor.
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The ex-England, Tottenham, Leicester and Barcelona star is keen to avoid naming his preferred pick.
Lineker did, however, urge whoever replaces him to ‘be yourself’.
“Obviously I don’t know who it’ll be, and I would never tell publicly my preference,” he said.
“I don’t think that’d be the right thing to do but whoever it is, I would say be yourself.”
The veteran continued: “I had to fill the ginormous shoes of a certain Des Lynam.
“I would say just be yourself and enjoy it, it’s a wonderful programme to be a part of.
“It was brilliant before I took over, and it will be brilliant after I leave.”
