BBC 'row explodes' with Mark Chapman 'refusing to share MOTD job with rising star' after Gary Lineker exit

Mark Chapman is reportedly in a heated row with the BBC over potentially sharing the Match of the Day job with another rising presenter.

On Monday, the BBC officially announced that long-standing MOTD presenter Gary Lineker would be stepping down from the role after 25 years.

Almost immediately, rumours began circulating about who was expected to replace the former England international at the helm of the beloved show, with Chapman emerging as one of the favourites.

But now, a new report has claimed that Chapman is involved in a new row with the BBC after he was asked to share the presenting role with another rising star.

According to The Sun, the BBC want Chapman and Kelly Somers to take turns as presenter of Match of the Day, but the Englishman is not happy with the idea.

Sources reportedly told the newspaper that the 51-year-old, who currently presenter Match of the Day 2, has completely refused any suggestions of splitting the job with anybody else.

A source told The Sun: “Mark has made it clear within the team at MOTD that this isn’t something he would want to do.

“He doesn’t want a job share, he wants Gary’s role as his own, which is understandable.

“It’s a headache for the BBC because they thought they’d found an easy solution.

“It’s back to the drawing board and negotiations are ongoing.”

Mark Chapman was recently named as the presenter for the BBC’s new Champions League highlights show. (Image: Getty)

However, BBC Sport Director Alex Kay-Jelski is said to be a big fan of the idea of Chapman splitting the role with Somers after she won fans over with her coverage of the Euros over the summer.

Throughout her career, Somers has worked on several big organisations such as Premier League Productions, BBC’s Final Score, talkSPORT, West Ham United and the Women’s Football League Show, making her more than qualified for the MOTD role.

But it still remains to be seen whether Chapman, Somers or any of the other big names linked with the job will take over from Lineker when he officially steps down at the end of the season.

A spokesperson from the BBC said: "Future plans for MOTD will be announced in due course."

SPORTbible has contacted Mark Chapman for comment.