'It's a disrespect' – Match of the Day contender doesn't hold back on replacing Gary Lineker

Micah Richards is 1 of a fig of names being linked to the Match of the Day presenter relation pursuing quality that Gary Lineker volition beryllium stepping down astatine the extremity of the season

The rumour mill is abuzz arsenic the contention to find Gary Lineker's Match of the Day successor heats up, though Micah Richards says helium finds the speculation "disrespectful".

Earlier this period it was announced that Lineker, 63, would beryllium stepping down from his relation arsenic big of the BBC's flagship shot highlights amusement astatine the extremity of the play aft much than a 4th of a period successful the job. Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman is the bookies' favourite to onshore the gig, but others similar Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Reshmin Chowdhury are besides successful the running.

Richards, who is simply a regular pundit connected Match of the Day, is different being linked to the job. However, the ex-Manchester City footballer, 36, insists different candidates are much deserving.

"When radical are saying 'Micah Richards [is] perchance going to instrumentality implicit the presenter job', I consciousness similar it's a monolithic disrespect to each the presenters retired there," helium said connected The Rest Is Football podcast. "There are truthful galore talented radical [linked to the position].

"Just due to the fact that I'm a pundit, I tin springiness penetration into a player, I consciousness I cognize the game, I ticker tactics. But to instrumentality implicit presenting successful 1 of the astir iconic shows, not conscionable successful sport, but that the BBC has ever had [would beryllium a antithetic kettle of fish]."

West Ham prima Michail Antonio, who was a impermanent connected show, interjected by teasing Richards astir his expected humility. "Blah, blah, blah, halt trying it mate! Look what he's trying to do, [mimicking Richards] 'there are truthful galore others that they tin prime implicit me, I conscionable can't judge that they're adjacent putting my sanction successful the hat'."

Lineker past quipped: "Micah, you tin wholly unbend - I guarantee you they won't beryllium asking you," prompting howls of laughter from some Richards and Antonio.

Lineker replaced Des Lynam arsenic big of Match of the Day successful 1999 and rapidly became the look of the BBC's shot coverage. He's presently the highest-paid presenter successful the organisation, with a reported yearly wage of £1.35million, and is the longest-serving big successful the 60-year past of Match of the Day.

Although he'll beryllium leaving the amusement erstwhile the 2024/25 Premier League play wraps up successful May, Lineker volition enactment connected astatine the BBC for a further 14 months successful bid to contiguous sum of the 2026 World Cup.

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