THESE are some of the potential candidates that could eventually host Match of the Day after the BBC decided to pull Gary Lineker off air.
The former England striker hit the headlines after he compared new immigration legislation to 1930s Germany.
In a major U-turn, the broadcaster announced Lineker would be suspended from his presenting duties after previously saying he would face no disciplinary action.
They added that the suspension will remain in place until an agreement is reached on his social media use – which could potentially mean it is for the long-term.
Attention quickly turned to who could replace him in the MOTD hot-seat.
However, for the time being there will be NO HOST.
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The BBC made that decision after numerous contenders ruled themselves out of the running in a show of solidarity with Lineker.
Here, we take a look at those who could eventually end up replacing Lineker…
JAMES CORDEN
The Brit currently hosts the hit Late Late Show in America and is also set to stay Stateside to film his CBS chat show until next year before leaving the post following eight years in the job.
Corden has previously presented the sports-based panel show A League of Their Own and is no stranger to football with the star being a huge West Ham supporter.
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He was tipped as a contender to replace Lineker last year, with Lineker even tweeting the ‘eyes’ emoji in response to the story.
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ALEX SCOTT
The former Lionesses star, 38, began her media career while still playing football, appearing on programmes such as Soccer AM and also had other minor roles at BBC Sport, BT Sport, and Sky Sports.
She started co-presenting on Match of the Day Kickabout after retirement and then made history as a pundit at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first female football pundit at a World Cup for the BBC.
In August 2019, Scott was announced as the new co-host of Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday alongside Chris Kamara and has been a regular presenter on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards while she is also a frequent guest presenter on The One Show.
However, she says she won’t step in to host Match of the Day in place of Lineker after his suspension from the show.
In a cryptic tweet she shared a meme of US politician Bernie Sanders saying: “Nah… not for me.”
JERMAINE JENAS
The 40-year-old former Premier League star regularly works as a pundit and commentator for BBC and BT Sport.
Jenas began co-presenting The One Show on BBC One with Alex Jones and became one of its permanent hosts the following year.
Last year he also performed the role of “Draw Conductor” for the 2022 FIFA World Cup draw.
But Jenas also tweeted on Friday: “Been on air with the one show. I wasn’t down to be doing match of the day tomorrow, but if I was I would of said no and stood with my fellow pundits and @GaryLineker.”
MARK CHAPMAN
The much-loved “Chappers” already has huge experience and has performed the role temporarily before.
He also has experience of presenting but has hosted Match of the Day 2 on BBC One and Sky Sports’ coverage of the EFL Cup – but he now too is understood to have declared that he is standing with Lineker.
MARK POUGATCH
The 55-year-old also has huge experience in radio and television broadcasting.
He is currently the Chief Sport Presenter for ITV Sport and fronts their major football and rugby coverage.
He is also the sideline reporter for Stan Sport’s UEFA competition coverage.
MANISH BHASIN
Another well-known face and potential candidate for the job.
He is a sports journalist and presenter broadcasting for Premier League Productions as the face of the Premier League’s global coverage to over 700 million viewers.
And he also already works for the Beeb too.
ALAN SHEARER OR IAN WRIGHT
The two former England internationals are both regular pundits on Match of the Day and have been for years.
They are close friends with Lineker, which could potentially be an issue.
Wright announced that he would refuse to be on Saturday’s show after the news broke regarding Lineker.
And that stance was swiftly followed by Newcastle legend Shearer, who tweeted: “I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.”
GABBY LOGAN
The Welsh presenter is a former international rhythmic gymnast who represented Wales and Great Britain.
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She hosted Final Score for BBC Sport from 2009 until 2013.
And she can always be relied upon to step up for duty should the occasion arise.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
