BBC announces new Match of the Day programming after Gary Lineker resigns
Kelly Cates, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman have been confirmed as the new Match of the Day presenters, the BBC has confirmed.
He bbc has been looking for a new host since Gary Lineker confirmed that he would leave your role in November.
Now, for the first time, a trio of presenters will split presenting duties between Match of the dayMOTD: Champions League and Match of the Day 2.
In what marks the sixth group of main presenters for the flagship TV show, Sky Sports presenter Cates will form a trio alongside current BBC stars Logan and Chapman.
Cates, daughter of Liverpool icon Sir Kenny Dalglish, previously worked for the BBC as a presenter on Radio 5 Live.
Regular pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards will continue to work on the show.
BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski said: “I know viewers will love these three incredible broadcasters and journalists who will be at the heart of our football coverage next season.
“They are brilliant at what they do and MOTD viewers can be sure they will be well looked after as football's big talking points are analyzed by experts.
“Gary has done a phenomenal job on Match of the Day over the last 25 years, he will be greatly missed and we can all still enjoy him on our screens at some of football's biggest tournaments.”
Lineker will step down from his role as Match of the Day host at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
He will remain part of the BBC's football coverage for a further 18 months before cutting all ties with the broadcaster.
Lineker's contract with the BBC was due to expire at the end of the season, but he signed an 18-month extension to get him to the 2026 World Cup.
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Speaking recently on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker explained why he felt the time was right to leave his role as Match of the Day presenter.
“It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic program for the BBC, but everything must come to an end,” Lineker said.
“It came at a point where actually the BBC and Match of the Day had the rights for another three years, the cycle starts from the next season, so I felt if I did another year it would be a bit strange.” .”
He added: “I left my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel like now is the right time.
“I think in the next contract they are looking to make Match of the Day slightly different, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take over.”
Lineker took on the role of host in 1999 when he replaced Des Lynam, having moved into pundit and presenter following his brilliant playing career.
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Along with Match of the Day, Lineker worked on Radio 5 Live, They Think It's All Over and Grandstand.
Lineker's contract with the BBC earned him more than £1.3 million a year, making him the broadcaster's highest-paid talent.
The 63-year-old was also suspended from presenting the show in 2023 after breaching BBC rules on expressing political views on social media.
He shared his strong opposition to the British Government's policy on asylum seekers.
Former England internationals Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, regulars on the show, announced that they would boycott the show in solidarity with Lineker.
