Match of the Day ‘could be presented by revolving cast of three female hosts and Mark Chapman’, as favourite to succeed Gary Lineker ‘voices concerns about taking the job’

The BBC are reportedly contemplating having a revolving cast of presenters for Match of the Day, instead of replacing Gary Lineker with a sole candidate.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Lineker would leave the flagship football show at the end of the season, after 25 years as host.

The 63-year-old is thought to have volunteered to take a mammoth pay cut of £350,000-a-year from his current £1.35million salary, in order to stay in the role.

However, new boss Alex Kay-Jelski has been inclined to freshen up the show and seemingly declined Lineker’s offer.

There is now a suggestion that Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, Kelly Cates, and Mark Chapman are the lead candidates to form a cast of rotating presenters, according to the Telegraph.

Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman is also a front-runner to take over from Lineker

Chapman had been seen as the favourite for the position, but reports suggest that the 51-year-old has concerns about taking the position on a full-time basis.

The broadcaster currently works within the BBC on Radio 5 Live and presents the Sunday version of the show – Match of the Day 2.

Chapman also works with Sky Sports as the presenter of their Carabao Cup coverage, and he is also a regular podcast host.

Meanwhile, his BBC colleagues Scott and Logan, who have presented MotD, are now being billed to join up with him.

Cates is another contender for the position but primarily works as a Sky Sports presenter on their ‘Super Sunday’ coverage.

However, the daughter of Kenny Dalglish does have a contract with the BBC as she hosts podcasts on Radio 5 Live.

It was revealed by the organisation this morning that Lineker has extended his TV contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup – but is stepping down from MotD as it ‘evolves for changing viewing habits’.

In a 21-word statement, which did not mention leaving Match of the Day at all, he said: ‘I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen’.

 Chapman isbelieved to be unsure about taking over from Lineker on a permanent basis

Gary Lineker (pictured today) will no longer present Match of the Day at the end of the season

Lineker hosts The Rest is Football podcast with Alan Shearer (left) and Micah Richards (centre) which the BBC will now offer on their own Sounds app

The footballer-turned-pundit has been the permanent presenter of the show since 1999, taking over from Des Lynam.

Lineker, a lightning rod for criticism over impartiality in recent years who was seen walking his dog this morning, will leave the corporation altogether after the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States when he is 65, as first reported by MailOnline in October.

In a statement released by the company, they said: ‘The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup.

‘Gary will lead the coverage of the tournament, as England once again try to land a first major trophy since 1966, the other Home Nations look to qualify and Lionel Messi aims to retain the trophy he won with Argentina.

‘Gary will also host BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025-26 season, 35 years on from lifting the trophy as a player.

‘After a quarter of a century, Gary is stepping down from hosting Match of The Day at the end of this season. He will continue with the MOTD Top Ten podcast and the BBC will also host the hugely popular The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds.’

BBC insiders appear to have quashed claims that he quit, suggesting instead that he had indicated to bosses that he would consider staying on at Match of the Day after next May.

‘Lineker was open to staying on at Match of the Day, but the BBC did not offer him a new contract for the show’, the corporation’s culture and media editor Katie Razzall has said.

Lineker and his new boss BBC’s director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, started talks with the broadcaster six weeks ago, but no contract was offered

Scott took over from Dan Walker as Football Focus host in 2021 and has become one of the first mainstream female football pundits

It has been reported that no final decision has been made on his successor, despite many names being linked with the job.

Scott, who racked up 140 appearances for England and represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, is a regular MOTD stand-in when Lineker is away.

After hanging up her boots in 2017, Scott has become one of the first mainstream female football pundits.

The former Arsenal star is the current Football Focus host, taking over duties from Dan Walker in 2021.

However, BBC stalwart Logan is actually favoured to take the role over Scott if the company does decide to go with a sole presenter.

In fact, the 51-year-old (4/1) is second favourite only to MOTD2 host Mark Chapman (6/4) with Ladbrokes.

Jermaine Jenas was long considered to be the man who would take over Lineker, but he is now out of the running after being sacked over his sexting scandal.

The former Tottenham star admitted to sending ‘inappropriate messages’ to female colleagues, later insisting that ‘nothing physical’ happened but that he had ‘cheated’ on his wife Ellie, with whom he has three children.