BBC agree with Alan Shearer's pick to replace Gary Lineker - but there's a catch
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Alan Shearer’s choice to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day, Mark Chapman, has been handed the role – though he won’t go it alone. Lineker announced last month that this season would be his last at the reins of the BBC show he joined in 1999, yet to the joy of many, he won’t be leaving our screens altogether.
The 64-year-old will remain with his current employers until at least the 2026 World Cup, during which time he will continue to front their FA Cup coverage. Now, Shearer, who often appears live alongside former England man Lineker on the beloved show, has gotten his wish because it has been claimed that Match of the Day 2 host Chapman will share duties with Sky Sports’ Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan next season as stalwart Lineker steps back.
According to The Mail, the chosen trio will share duties for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign. The news comes after Shearer threw his weight behind Chapman for the job. "Chappers does Match of the Day 2, so I guess if you're looking at it logically, then he would have to have a real live chance of coming over to the Saturday, or doing both [shows],” Shearer stated this week.
"I don't know, though - I haven't spoken to anyone about it. Whoever it is, they've got big shoes to fill, obviously, but yeah, the show goes on. Someone will come in and present it, and if it is Chappers, then he will do a great job, I'm sure.". It wasn’t just Shearer who believed BBC colleague Chapman would do a stellar job of filling Lineker’s boots, as former Liverpool and Fulham man Danny Murphy – an analyst for the broadcaster – further supported the 51-year-old.
