BBC confirm Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day replacements in huge shake-up

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BBC confirm Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day replacements in huge shake-up
Author: Louis Sealey
Published: Jan, 15 2025 12:00

The BBC’s flagship football show, Match of the Day, will be presented by Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan from next season, it has been announced. For the first time in the show’s history, the role of lead presenter will be shared by three presenters.

 [Match of the Day @BBCMOTD ? 8m New squad for next season! ?? We?re delighted to announce that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will share Match of the Day presenting duties from 2025-26.]
Image Credit: Metro [Match of the Day @BBCMOTD ? 8m New squad for next season! ?? We?re delighted to announce that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will share Match of the Day presenting duties from 2025-26.]

Current presenter Gary Lineker is stepping down this summer after 26 years in the role, but will continue to present FA Cup games and be involved in the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup. ‘Match of the Day first aired in 1964 and the trio are the sixth set of main presenters for the weekly football highlights programme,’ the BBC said in a statement.

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Image Credit: Metro [Brentford FC v Nottingham Forest - Premier League]

‘It is just as treasured by audiences now as it was back then, bringing people together week in, week out. ‘Last season 33 million viewers tuned in across all Match of the Day Premier League and FA Cup programmes on BBC TV and iPlayer, while millions more enjoy the opinion and analysis on the BBC Sport website, app and social channels.’.

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Image Credit: Metro [Manchester City v Feyenoord - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5]

Cates, 49, has been a key figure in Sky Sports’ coverage of the Premier League in recent years while also working for BBC Radio 5 Live. The daughter of Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish said: ‘Once I sit in that chair and the theme music starts, I just know that’s going to be a really incredible moment.

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Image Credit: Metro [England v Tonga - Autumn Test Series]

‘I’ve worked with a lot of the pundits before and they’re all fantastic, so I’m just looking forward to getting started. ‘I’ve known Gabby and Mark really well for years so to bring it all together, embracing the digital side of things, it feels like a really comprehensive football package for fans and that’s what makes it so exciting too.’.

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