Top names to replace Match of the Day host Gary Lineker after BBC email 'leak'

Gary Lineker's BBC contract with Match of the Day is set to expire next year, and reports suggest he could even leave the show before the end of the season, so who are the candidates to replace him?

Gary Lineker could soon leave Match of the Day after it was reported a significant email at the BBC was leaked.

The 63-year-old has been the face of the programme since 1999, and his current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season. However, it has been reported that BBC's Sport Director Alex Kay-Jelski could be looking to release him from his duties even sooner than that.

The Daily Mail claims to have seen an internal email which suggests that the BBC is drafting a statement of departure for Lineker. However, the corporation has denied that the presenter will leave the show before his contract expires, with a spokesperson telling the publication: "We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is on contract until the end of the season."

Meanwhile, Lineker launched a foul-mouthed statement of his own to a reporter who turned up outside of his home in south-west London, telling them: "'F*** off, I won't talk to you. Go away."

With Lineker's future on BBC's Match of the Day now in real doubt, Mirror Football looks at some of the famous faces who could replace him on the late-night football highlights show...

Mark Chapman

Mark Chapman started working for the BBC back in 1996 and has worked on several projects with the company over the years – both on television and radio. While he has a vast knowledge on a number of sports including American Football and Rugby, his footballing expertise could well land him a job on Match of the Day.

He currently works as the Beeb's chief rugby league presenter, as well as the presenter of MOTD2 – the latter proving that he has the tools to make the step up to present the main football highlights show. He's also a loyal and safe pair of hands, making him the ideal candidate for the job should Lineker be shown the door. Chapman has also been fronting the BBC's new weekly Champions League highlights show this season.

Alex Scott

Ex-England and Arsenal defender Alex Scott has rose to stardom in punditry as of recent, kicking off her media career with the likes of Soccer AM, BBC Sport, BT Sport and Sky Sports. She became the lead presenter of Football Focus in May 2021 after the departure of Dan Walker, but she has also worked on MOTD.

The 39-year-old stepped into Lineker's shoes back in March when he was suspended for criticising the Government's controversial asylum policy, however, she was not joined by usual faces Ian Wright and Alan Shearer as they supported Lineker and decided to boycott the show. With experience behind her, Scott could make a good replacement for Lineker.

Gabby Logan

Gabby Logan has worked for the BBC since 2007, deputising for Lineker on MOTD in the past. Meanwhile, she also presented Final Score between 2009 and 2013.

Logan also alternated with Lineker during this summer's Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, before presenting the Summer Olympics in Paris for BBC One and BBC Two.

Jason Mohammad

Jason Mohammad has previously worked on Final Score, Match of the Day and MOTD 2, deputising for Lineker and Chapman respectively.

Having been a part of the BBC since 1997, he has also covered the Rio Olympics in 2016 and the RBS Six Nations.

Kelly Somers

Kelly Somers enjoyed a wealth of work over the summer with the BBC as the corporation's England camp reporter for Euro 2024. She has also worked on Final Score alongside Mark Clemmit, providing English Football League coverage.

Most notably, however, Somers has also hosted Match of the Day in the past, appearing in August 2020. It remains to be seen if she would take up a role previously held by Lineker, though, announcing that she would not be filling in for Scott on Football Focus when the MOTD head was suspended back in March this year.

Theo Walcott

Former Arsenal, Everton and Southampton man Theo Walcott recently began working with Match of the Day as an analyst after hanging up his footballing boots in 2023. Speaking on his appointment, Walcott said: "I grew up watching BBC Sport so I’m over the moon to be joining the line-up as a pundit, it’s a dream come true for me and I’m excited to get going.

"Life after retiring from football was always going to be scary but exciting. There’s plenty for me to learn but I can draw on the career I’ve had to offer up different views and opinions. It will be a fantastic challenge for me."

While he is unlikely to be handed a promotion to presenter so soon, he certainly has the star power to host the show one day.

Joe Hart

Joe Hart was also brought on by the BBC as an analyst this year, making his MOTD debut earlier this season. The two-time Premier League winner with Manchester City enjoyed an illustrious career in net before hanging his gloves up earlier this year at Celtic.

Speaking on his BBC role, Hart said: "I’m very excited, very proud, and looking forward to growing into an incredible role on something that I grew up watching. I want to try and give back as much as I can from the career I’ve had and keep learning.

"I’m thrilled to be in an around an incredible set up, learning first and foremost in a new part of my life. But I’m also trying to transition over and give my opinion from football through my eyes, still being in a position where I see and feel things, trying to get the understanding of what it takes to be at a level and why things happen."

Alan Shearer

Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer has been a stalwart with the BBC since retiring from his playing days in 2006, quickly making his way to Match of the Day thanks to his understanding of the game and solid opinions. With a wealth of presenting experience in his bag, Shearer could be one of the BBC's top picks to fill close pal Lineker's shoes should he be shown the door.

However, it may be unlikely that Shearer would take the position, given his long relationship with Lineker on a professional and personal level. The striker also showed solidarity with Lineker during his suspension in March this year, stepping away from his duties until the former Leicester and Spurs striker was reinstated on MOTD.

Dion Dublin

Former Manchester United and Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin has crafted an incredible career in punditry since hanging his boots up in 2008, working on the likes of Sky Sports' Super Sunday alongside Richard Keys, and the UEFA Champions League with Martin Tyler.

He has also appeared as a regular pundit for BBC Sport over the years, working with Football Focus, Final Score and Match of the Day - as well as FA Cup coverage. The oddsmakers have noted that Dublin may take the role with MOTD should Lineker make an exit any time soon.

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