Match of the Day contenders to replace Gary Lineker after Jermaine Jenas sacked by BBC
Jermaine Jenas’s sacking by the BBC has removed one of the leading contenders to succeed Gary Lineker as host of Match of the Day.
Here, Telegraph Sport looks at who remains of the main runners and riders.
Mark Chapman
Chapman has risen to the position of Match of the Day 2 presenter and has covered for Lineker when the former England captain is absent from the main Saturday night show. Was voted Sports Presenter of the Year by the Sports Journalists’ Association for the second year in a row in March and is hugely admired from both within and outside the profession for his versatility and down-to-earth approach.
Gabby Logan
One of the best and most popular sports broadcasters in the country. A huge football fan – her father Terry Yorath was a distinguished player and manager – and has reported extensively on the national sport across various platforms including ITV and the BBC, where she has also presented Match of the Day on occasion. Currently the BBC’s lead Six Nations rugby presenter.
Mark Pougatch
Has considerable broadcasting experience following several decades on 5Live before becoming ITV’s lead football presenter in 2015. He also co-host ITV’s coverage of the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup.
Dan Walker
The former Football Focus anchor also presented Match of the Day on occasion in Lineker’s absence. Walker has since switched focus from sport and worked as a presenter on BBC Breakfast from 2016 before moving to Channel Five in 2022, where he is now one of the presenting faces of 5News.
Alex Scott
Like Lineker, Scott entered sports broadcasting following a successful playing career that included 140 England caps. She became the first female pundit for a men’s World Cup in 2018 when she was part of the BBC panel and, after also presenting The One Show and Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday, succeeded Walker as host of Football Focus in 2021. Viewing figures have plummeted on her watch.