Two new pundits have been named as replacement for the departed Ian Wright on Match of the Day ahead of the 24/25 season.
The well-regarded Wrighty left Match of the Day back in May, but previously announced in December his intention to step back from the highlights show.
Now, on the same day that Troy Deeney has taken over from Garth Crooks to select BBC Sport’s Premier League Team of the Week every weekend, it’s confirmed that Theo Walcott and Joe Hart will be regular pundits on Saturday night, including host Gary Lineker as well as Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
Theo Walcott had already made a few appearances on Match of the Day 2, but now he’s set to feature on the main Saturday show, while Joe Hart has impressed it seems after being part of the BBC’s coverage of the Euros in Germany after his retirement, last playing for Celtic.
Hart got many talking, whether it was his tattoos, his straight back posture when sitting, or his turn of phrase or footballing insight.
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Theo Walcott has some advice for a struggling Raheem Sterling 🗣️@theowalcott #MOTD2 pic.twitter.com/jnDGuOYYW1
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 17, 2024
The latest changes to MOTD was made in The Times during an event which features former host Des Lynam, coinciding with the show’s 60th anniversary.
The well-regarded pundit Ian Wright, who first appeared on the show as a player in 1997 before becoming a regular five years later, left Match of the Day after two decades in May 2024 and has since shared the motivations behind his unexpected departure.
He has since explained the reason behind his exit departure, saying on the Stick to Football podcast: ‘It’s time. I had a dear friend who said that sometimes you’ve got to know when to step back, change, rest, have a break, and say no, it’s just time.
‘The way I am now, because I have to get back to London [after filming] it’s like 3:30am in the morning – it’s a long day. I leave at 8am in the morning and get back at midnight.
‘I don’t want to stay over in Manchester. I used to but there are personal reasons why I always want to get back home (after filming).
‘Especially, when you’re on Match of the Day, you’re live and I’ve had a massive problem before with people knowing where you are, so I always want to get back home to the missus and the girls.
‘It just takes me two to three days after that to get ready and there are other things I’m doing which I just haven’t got the energy for sometimes.
‘I’m getting older, I just want to make sure I use the time well and efficiently for myself and at the moment, Match of the Day is the one that if something had to go, it had to be that.’
In an interview with The Times, Des Lynam backed Micah Richards to step into the shoes of ‘Wrighty’ and become a more regular pundit on Match of the Day.
He said: ‘I think it’s Micah Richards isn’t it? He’s got a sense of humour and he knows football.
‘Obviously he’s played for England and Manchester City, though he didn’t make a huge mark on me playing for either.
‘I think he needs to calm down a little but his opinions are quite solid, though I don’t think anybody can quite match Wrighty.’
MOTD HOSTS, PRESENTERS, PUNDITS, OLD, CURRENT AND NEW
Despite the programme’s extensive history, there have been only five principal presenters: Kenneth Wolstenholme (1964–1967), David Coleman (1967–1973), Jimmy Hill (1973–1988), Des Lynam (1988–1999), and Gary Lineker (from 1999 onwards).
Lineker was previously as an analyst during Des Lynam’s time as host.
Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Dan Walker have filled in for Lineker on various occasions.
For the 2021–22 season, the primary analysts include Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Martin Keown, Danny Murphy, Micah Richards, and Ian Wright.
Usually there’s three analysts are featured during international matches, while two analysts are present for live FA Cup games, except for the FA Cup Final, which includes three.
Highlights shows generally feature two analysts.
Match of the Day have a mix of BBC and freelance commentators, such as Guy Mowbray, Steve Wilson, Jonathan Pearce, Steve Bower, Simon Brotherton, Conor McNamara, Vicki Sparks, Alistair Mann, Martin Fisher, Mark Scott, John Roder, Chris Wise, Robyn Cowen, Steven Wyeth, Tom Gayle, and Ben Andrews.
In 2007, Jacqui Oatley made history as the first woman to provide commentary for the programme.
Former commentators have included Walley Barnes, Frank Bough, David Coleman, Jon Champion, Barry Davies, Tony Gubba, Stuart Hall, John Motson, Alan Parry, Idwal Robling, Gerald Sinstadt, Clive Tyldesley, Alan Weeks, and Kenneth Wolstenholme.
Current presenters
* Relief presenter
Gary Lineker 1999–
*Mark Chapman 2014–
*Alex Scott 2022–
*Gabby Logan 2007–
*Kelly Somers 2020–
*Jason Mohammad 2014–
*Jermaine Jenas 2023–
*Eilidh Barbour 2024-
Previous presenters
* Denotes relief presenter
*Dan Walker 2012–2021
*Ray Stubbs 1993–2009
Des Lynam 1988–1999
*David Icke 1982–1985
Bob Wilson 1976–1994
Jimmy Hill 1973–1988
David Coleman 1967–1973
*Frank Bough 1965–1972
Kenneth Wolstenholme 1964–1967
Current analysts
Alan Shearer 2006–2009, 2009–
Martin Keown 2007–
Danny Murphy 2013–
Dion Dublin 2012–2013, 2018–
Shay Given 2018–
Jermaine Jenas 2020–
Stephen Warnock 2020–
Micah Richards 2021–
Leon Osman 2021–
Ashley Williams 2021–
Fara Williams 2023-
Glenn Murray 2023-
Previous analysts
Ian Wright 2002–2008, 2017–2024
Chris Waddle 2021
Karen Carney 2020–2021
Clinton Morrison 2020
Tim Cahill 2019–2020
Alex Scott 2019–2021
Matthew Upson 2018–2019
Frank Lampard 2017, 2018
Mark Schwarzer 2016–2017
Trevor Sinclair 2016–2017
Chris Sutton 2016–2017, 2020
Sam Allardyce 2015, 2017
Tony Pulis 2014
Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink 2014
Brad Friedel 2014
Paul Ince 2014, 2018
Dietmar Hamann 2014–2017
Neil Lennon 2014
Roberto Martinez 2013
Les Ferdinand 2013
Roy Hodgson 2013, 2016
Michael Owen 2013
David Moyes 2013, 2016
Kevin Kilbane 2013–2019
Robbie Fowler 2013–2015
Phil Neville 2012–2020
Vincent Kompany 2012
Harry Redknapp 2012, 2013
Marcel Desailly 2007
Gavin Peacock 2006–2008
Lee Dixon 2005–2012
Graeme Le Saux 2005–2006, 2016–2017
Peter Schmeichel 2004–2005
David O’Leary 2002
Mick McCarthy 2001, 2012
Mark Bright 2000, 2007
Ruud Gullit 1997, 2014–2017
Mark Lawrenson 1997–2018
Garth Crooks 1996, 2005, 2012
Alan Hansen 1992–2014
Jimmy Hill 1994–1997
David Baddiel 1994
Frank Skinner 1994
Mick Mills 1993
Ray Wilkins 1992
Lee Chapman 1992
Trevor Brooking 1992–2001
Danny Blanchflower 1964
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