Gary Lineker is reportedly ‘set to leave Match of the Day’ with his replacement ‘already in the pipeline’ according to the bookies.
The 60 year old’s odds of leaving the BBC football highlights show have been slashed by Paddy Power with the former England international stepping down from his role of hosting Champions League football on BT Sport this year.
He has also signed up with the newly founded LaLigaTV which will see Lineker host key LaLiga fixtures and participate in the VIVA LaLiga studio programme.
Now the bookmaker are expecting Lineker to walk from Match of the Day at the end of the season and speculation now turns to who could fill his seat come next summer.
Paddy Power have slashed Lineker’s price to step down from the show to 9/1 – in from 33/1 just a week ago.
If he stays on beyond this season, Paddy Power have Lineker at odds-on to leave before his contract expires in 2025 at 5/6.
The favourite to replace Lineker at the helm of the famous show is Jermaine Jenas at 2/1.
Jenas, pundit who has caused a split reaction form time to time with his views, and also works as a co-host for the One Show.
Alex Scott is priced at 7/2 to become the show’s first ever full-time female presenter after being announced as the new presenter of Football Focus, after Dan Walker’s decision to step down.
While Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman currently priced at 8/1 to host the Saturday show as he also trails Micah Richards in the bookies’ market.
A spokesman at Paddy Power said: “Gary Lineker has been on Match of the Day for so long that it’s hard to imagine Saturday nights without him, but after stepping away from Champions League presenting duties, there’s a sense that he’s easing into a quieter period.
“Jermaine Jenas is the current favourite to replace him, which will definitely be to the delight of all those who complain about his commentary every week.
“But, after Lineker presented a show in his underpants following Leicester’s Premier League title success, there’ll be no danger of a repeat for Jenas doing so on behalf of his beloved Spurs…”
Next Match of the Day host – Paddy Power odds
2/1 Jermaine Jenas
7/2 Alex Scott
5/1 Micah Richards
8/1 Mark Chapman
10/1 Alan Shearer
12/1 Dion Dublin
14/1 Manish Bashin
16/1 Dan Walker
16/1 Martin Keown
20/1 Gaby Logan
20/1 Claire Balding
33/1 Eric Cantona
33/1 Mark Lawrenson
50/1 Jamie Carragher
66/1 Gary Neville
80/1 Jim White
80/1 Jamie Redknapp
350/1 Josh Denzel
400/1 Thierry Henry
400/1 Piers Morgan
Jenas admires Lineker and has credited him with helping him in his career on TV.
He told The Sun: “Gary is somebody I’ve always looked up to as a presenter, and someone I’ve loved working with.
“I remember one of my first One Show gigs, I had a bit of a sticky moment and I knew I could have handled it better, and Gary reached out, messaged me and said, ‘Look, just a bit of advice; if this happens again, try doing this’.
“He’d tell me what he used to do when he was first starting out, and I always appreciated that. He went out of his way to help me. Gary is like the Des Lynam of my era, let’s make him feel nice and old!
“Match Of The Day is the biggest job on television, and if I ever got the opportunity of course I’d say yes. When Gary decides to call it a day, I’m sure the BBC will have a look around and decide who’s the best fit for the job.
“Obviously I’d be absolutely delighted if it was me. But Gary’s not going anywhere.” For now anyway.
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As reports claim that Gary Lineker is ‘set to leave Match of the Day’ with a replacement ‘already in the pipeline’, fans took to give their reaction…
@TonywalkerTony: Please let it not be Jamie O Hara @GaryLineker
@ozzy108705750: Don’t want Garry to go, but if he is, Dan Walker please
@ForeverAYellow: I don’t know why, but reckon Dan Walker would be a superb replacement, hmmm
@AshRobbo11: Will not watch it again if it’s Alex Scott but u just no because she’s a female and it’s the bbc it’s hers!! JJ was on line to take over last year but lineker stayed on
@Penny_LUFC: I’d love Ian Wright to get the job
For a lad who left #NUFC because he couldn’t stand life in the “goldfish bowl”, this boring sod is never off the telly. It would kill Saturday nights if he took over #MOTD https://t.co/ERxQC5jVRM pic.twitter.com/3OOfVmrxhP
— Man about Toon (@Man_about_Toon) October 6, 2021
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