Gary Lineker drops hint over his potential Match of the Day successor

Gary Lineker has dropped a hint on his potential Match of the Day successor when he eventually leaves the role.

The 62-year-old has been the lead presenter of BBC's Premier League highlights show since 1999, when he took over from Des Lynam.

Throughout his time on the show, other presenters such as Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Dan Walker have anchored coverage of Match of the Day 2 or when Lineker is unavailable.

The former Barcelona, Leicester and England striker is one of the UK's most recognisable and well-known presenters, having appeared on programming for BBC and other TV stations since 1995.

Speaking to The Sunday Times in September, he revealed that he would never retire from MOTD because he would be 'bored' - but there will come a time where he eventually steps aside.

And during Saturday's programme, which featured former Premier League players Jermaine Jenas and Ashley Williams as pundits, Lineker appeared to drop a reference over his possible replacement when the time does come for him to leave his role.

While analysing one of the games, Jenas told Lineker: "I always like getting a striker's opinion."

Lineker then joked: "Do you want my job?" to which Jenas replied, "No, no - not yet." Lineker simply stated: "Later."

In 2020, the Daily Mail reported that the BBC were lining up Jenas as their new 'face of football' when Lineker decided to leave his position.

After retiring from professional football into 2014, the former Tottenham midfielder moved into punditry and has fronted documentaries for both BBC and Channel 4.

Jenas also regularly presents BBC's The One Show, and features as a pundit and co-commentator on TNT Sports' Champions League and Premier League coverage.

He previously fronted the BBC spin-off show MOTDx - aimed at a younger audience - before the announcement last month that it would be cancelled.

It has been reported that he is a leading contender to present coverage of Formula E - a single-seater motorsport championship for electric cars - with both ITV and TNT Sports battling it out to secure hosting rights for the 2024 season.

Earlier this year, Lineker did name Jenas as one of his potential replacements, saying he was 'drifting more towards my role'.

Who do you think should be the new lead presenter of Match of the Day when Lineker does decide to leave? Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Gary Lineker, Match Of The Day, Football, Premier League

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.