Surprise contender for Gary Lineker's Match of the Day role emerges after Mark Chapman snub

The hunt goes connected for Gary Lineker's successor successful the Match of the Day hotseat, with aboriginal front-runner Mark Chapman reported to person turned down an connection from the BBC

TNT Sports anchor Reshmin Chowdhury is among the contenders to regenerate Gary Lineker arsenic big of Match of the Day, it has been claimed.

Lineker volition permission his role astatine the extremity of the 2024-25 season, aft much than a 4th of a period arsenic the look of the BBC's flagship shot highlights show. However, helium volition stay with the broadcaster until the extremity of the 2026 World Cup aft agreeing a caller declaration for unrecorded shot matches.

One of the aboriginal candidates touted arsenic Lineker's successor was Mark Chapman. The Match of the Day 2 big was brought onto the BBC's Champions League highlights amusement this season, but he reportedly rejected a job-share situation which could person seen hosting duties divided betwixt him and Kelly Somers.

With the caller big not needing to instrumentality complaint for much than six months, there's a spot of clip for the BBC to scope a decision. And that determination could spot Chowdhury instrumentality the reins.

According to The Mail, BBC manager of athletics Alex Kay-Jelski antecedently attempted to prosecute Chowdhury for The Athletic. Broadcaster and writer Chowdhury, 46, is said to person admirers wrong the corp - for whom she has antecedently commentated.

Speaking aft Lineker's short-term woody was confirmed, Kay-Jelski said: “Gary is simply a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll pb our sum of the adjacent World Cup and proceed to pb our unrecorded sum of the FA Cup.

“After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We privation to convey him for everything helium has done for the show, which continues to pull millions of viewers each week. He’ll beryllium hugely missed connected the amusement but we’re truthful blessed helium is staying with the BBC to contiguous unrecorded football.”

Lineker enactment retired a abbreviated connection himself aft the caller woody was agreed. “I’m delighted to proceed my agelong relation with BBC Sport and would similar to convey each those who made this happen," helium said.

Who bash you privation to spot regenerate Gary Lineker? Have your accidental successful the comments section

If reports of Chapman rejecting the accidental beryllium true, 1 antheral who volition beryllium disappointed is Danny Murphy. Former England midfielder Murphy has been a pundit connected BBC highlights shows for a fig of years, and helium antecedently gave Chapman his backing.

"I consciousness that they've got [a candidate]. Mark Chapman, who I enactment with a batch connected Sundays," the 47-year-old told talkSPORT. "I deliberation he's a superb presenter and very, precise knowledgeable connected athletics and football. Somebody who is ready-made for it.

"Whether helium wants it oregon not, I don't know. That's a antithetic question, you'd person to inquire him. But helium would beryllium the glaring, evident prime for me."

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