BBC Match of the Day is an icon of British television but it could be facing a nightmare few years following the departure of presenter Gary Lineker
Match of the Day, a staple of British sports television, could be in for some unexpected changes following the departure of presenter Gary Lineker. The BBC confirmed last week that ex-Everton forward Lineker would be stepping down from his role as presenter of the flagship football show.
Often joined by analysts such as Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and many more, the show is watched not only by millions of fans per episode, but also Premier League footballers.
With Lineker set to leave next year, the question isn’t just about who will replace him, but also who might follow him out the door. With the future of the show in the hands of the BBC, it could turn into a nightmare scenario for the broadcasting giant. With this in mind, let’s consider some potential horror situations for the BBC.
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Alan Shearer departs
Breaking up the partnership between Shearer and Lineker will be no easy task. The pair have endured years of each other’s terrible dad-jokes on screen, their ease with each other a testament to their long-standing friendship.
It’s been nearly a decade since the Beeb sacked Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear. His co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May left with him.
After years of rotating presenters, Top Gear won’t return ‘for the foreseeable future. ‘ This is exactly the situation that the BBC will want to avoid with MOTD.
Lineker’s temporary suspension due to his social media comments about the then UK government saw Shearer and ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright standing by the 63-year-old, refusing to participate in the show. This led to an unusual 20-minute episode of MOTD.
If Shearer does depart, the broadcasting giants will need to find replacements swiftly. Regardless of their choice, replicating the partnership these two shared will be a tough task.
Micah Richards makes an exit
The trio of Lineker, Shearer and Micah Richards have become a cornerstone of English football punditry in recent years.
Former defender Richards, described by Jamie Carragher as the Marmite of pundits, is either loved or hated. However, it’s hard to deny that his infectious laughter combined with defensive technical analysis brings a unique element to the more experienced attacking duo he works with.
Richards is a busy man in football. In addition to regular appearances on MOTD, he also features on Sky Sports and has recently found success on CBS covering the Champions League.
With all these projects underway, and the potential disbanding of his BBC trio from TV, Richards might decide to concentrate more on his other ventures. Plus, he’ll still catch up with the others on their podcast ‘The Rest is Football’.
First choice presenter rejection
The guessing game for the new host of the flagship football show has reached fever pitch. Names from within the BBC like Mark Chapman and Alex Scott, as well as outsiders such as Piers Morgan and TNT presenter Reshmin Chowdhury, are all being thrown into the hat.
The worst-case scenario would be the Beebs’ top pick turning down the role. This wouldn’t just leave the broadcaster blushing, but it would also mean that whoever steps up next will know they weren’t the first choice.
It’s a demanding gig. Not only does it involve long hours over the weekend, but it’s also a highly publicised role.
Lineker hasn’t held back during his tenure and hasn’t altered his approach for the show. The pressure isn’t just about matching his talent, but also his unflinching demeanour.
