BBC launch reality show to find new football expert just hours after Gary Lineker’s bombshell MOTD exit revealed
THE BBC has launched a new reality show to find a fresh-faced football expert following Gary Lineker’s announced exit.
The Match of the Day presenter will be stepping down from the much-loved show at the end of the season.
Lineker, 63, will continue to feature on FA Cup shows and at the World Cup in 2026.
However, the Beeb are planning on bringing new faces into their talent pool.
The new show will try to attract a younger audience to the broadcaster.
It will be aiming to recruit a new football expert who uses the social media platform TikTok.
It will be broadcast on iPlayer in the lead-up to the Women’s European Championship next summer.
The winner of the show will apparently be offered a paid role producing digital content for BBC Sport.
Their work will also appear on TV programmes like Football Focus, radio channels like BBC Radio 5 Live as well as digital and social media.
A web page created for the new show states: “We are looking for talented football obsessives who are as comfortable explaining the latest tactical innovations to fan culture to interviewing top players.
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“All shortlisted candidates will have an on-screen opportunity as well as receiving training and upskilling as part of the scheme.
“After completion of the series, the competition winner will be also offered a paid opportunity as a BBC Sport contributor.
“The window for applications will open in December 2024 and full details will be available on this page in the coming weeks.”
Director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski has insisted that the opportunity could be life-changing for the winner.
He said: “There can’t be many better jobs than working with the BBC’s football team, so if you think you know the game better than anyone, get applying.
“This could change your life.”
It comes as SunSport revealed BBC staff fear Match of the Day will go woke following Lineker’s exit.
They predict some of the traditional fans’ favourite pundits could be ditched to reduce the number of middle-aged, male former players.
We also revealed that Roman Kemp is being lined up for a shock role in a revamped version of the show.
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.