Controversial podcast host jokes he could replace Gary Lineker in Match of the Day hotseat after quitting iconic show
AN UNLIKELY figure is open to replacing Gary Lineker on Match of the Day – and is even willing to strip to his Y-fronts live on air.
The England legend will leave the iconic BBC show in the summer after 25 years at the helm.
Lineker took over hosting Match of the Day from Des Lynam way back in 1999.
The 63-year-old announced on Monday he will step aside following six weeks of talks.
BBC bosses are now looking to fill Lineker’s considerable boots, with MOTD2 host Mark Chapman in the running.
But an unlikely name has jokingly put his hat into the ring – after an endorsement from Lineker’s podcast boss.
Ex-Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell declared he was ready to take up the job.
And he claimed he’d even do it “in his underpants”, a reference to Lineker’s famous on-air strip following Leicester City’s title win in 2016.
Campbell appears on the Rest Is Politics podcast, which shares the same production company as Lineker’s popular pod the Rest Is Football.
He told co-star Sophie Ridge: “People are obviously taking me presenting Match of the Day more seriously than you are.”
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Campbell, who was a strategist and spokesman for Tony Blair’s Labour government, received a text live on air.
He continued: “Tony Pastor, who is the boss at Goalhanger, which is Gary’s podcast firm [has text me].
“He says: ‘You could present Match of the Day in your underpants when Burnley win the league’. “
A delighted Campbell, 67, joked: “I will happily do that!”
Lineker is stepping aside from Match of the Day, but will still be on our screens for at least another two years.
He has signed an 18-month extension with the BBC, which will see him anchor live FA Cup matches in 2025-26.
Lineker is scheduled to leave the BBC for good after presenting coverage of the 2026 World Cup.
Who could replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host?
GARY LINEKER dropped the shock news that he is QUITTING Match of the Day.
The popular presenter, 63, took over hosting duties on the flagship BBC programme from Des Lynam in 1999.
But after more than 25 years in the studio hotseat, he has called time on his MOTD gig.
But as part of a huge shake-up, the BBC is considering rotating the presenters on a weekly basis.
So with Lineker vacating the chair, new names will step into his giant boots. But who could they be?
MARK CHAPMAN
Chapman, 51, is the obvious early favourite to follow on from Lineker as MOTD presenter.
He already has the gig as MOTD2 host on a Sunday night plus landed the presenting job for the new BBC Champions League highlights show.
ALEX SCOTT
Scott gets the nod from the Beeb bosses when Lineker is away.
The former right-back, 40, is used to presenting the Saturday night show as well as live match coverage – plus ticks the box as a former England international.
GABBY LOGAN
Like Scott, Logan, 51, is one of the understudies to step in when Lineker is not available.
She has done most gigs since joining the BBC in 2007, including Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year and Final Score.
MICAH RICHARDS
Lineker’s top pick to replace him is exuberant former Man City defender Richards.
The departing host told his close pal, 36, on their Stick to Football podcast: “I’d love to see you take over Micah, I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”
JASON MOHAMMAD
Mohammad could earn the “promotion” from Final Score to Match of the Day.
The 51-year-old Welshman – who took over from Logan in 2013 – is one of the BBC’s top earners already and is more senior than fellow Final Score and BBC Sport broadcaster Kelly Somers, who could in theory become the main live host for the afternoon slot.
JEFF STELLING
He couldn’t, could he? While Lineker has been the face of Saturday night TV for football fans for years, the face of the afternoons was Stelling in his role as Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday presenter.
He would bring plenty of on-screen charisma, wit and legendary TV expertise – but at nearly 70 and currently with talkSPORT, the Hartlepool fan would not be a cheap or long-term appointment.
A BBC source said: “Gary absolutely adores Match of the Day and has been incredibly happy at the BBC.
“But he has been at the helm since 1999, and by the time he leaves he will have been at the Beeb for 30 years.
“He wants to leave on a high – and if England win the World Cup, it doesn’t get much higher.”