Gary Lineker clarifies Match of the Day replacement with brutal response to Micah Richards
If Micah Richards had a glimmer of hope of replacing Gary Lineker as host of Match of the Day, he is sorely mistaken.
The search is on to find the next presenter of the iconic BBC show after Lineker confirmed it would be its last season on paper.
Lineker replaced Des Lynam as host in 1999 and will have marked 25 years in the chair at the end of this Premier League campaign.
It won't be the end of Lineker's presence at the BBC, however, as he will lead the broadcaster's coverage of the FA Cup next season, as well as the 2026 World Cup.
Richards, an expert in Match of the day he had been touted as one of many possible replacements for Lineker.
The topic arose on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast between Lineker, Richards and West Ham striker Michael Antonio.
Antonio cheekily claimed to Lineker: “Micah is trying to take your job,” but the former Manchester City defender disagreed.
“You know what? Can I make this clear?” Richards said.
“When people say Mica Richards potentially taking over a presenter, I think it's hugely disrespectful to all the presenters out there. There are so many talented people.
“Only because I am an expert can I give an idea to a player, I feel like I know the game, I look at the tactics.
“But to take over the presentation of one of the most iconic programmes, not only in sport, but that the BBC has ever had?”
Antonio sarcastically responded, “Blah, blah, blah, stop trying, buddy.
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“Look what he's trying to do? 'There are so many others they can choose over me, I just can't believe they even put my name in the hat.'”
However, Lineker would have the brutal last word in ending Richards' faint hopes of hosting Match of the Day.
“Micah, you can totally relax,” Lineker said.
“I can assure you they won't ask you.”
Richards retired from football in 2019 and became a Match of the Day pundit in 2021.
Despite his broadcast experience, Richards is an outsider in the race to replace Lineker as host.
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Mark Chapman, who has hosted Match of the Day 2 for more than a decade, is the bookies' favorite in 6/4.
Driving Chapman's candidacy is the fact that he has filled in for Lineker on the Saturday edition of the show several times.
Former Arsenal and England defender Alex Scott is another strong contender and is priced at 3/1 to replace Lineker, as will Gabby Logan (14/1).
