Piers Morgan and Sky Sports legend backed to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host

The BBC should consider hiring Piers Morgan or ex-Sky Sports presenter Jim White to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host.

That is the opinion of former Crystal Palace owner turned talkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan, who wants the next host to be picked ‘on merit rather than making diversity and inclusion the primary criteria’.

Last week, it was announced that Lineker would be stepping down from MOTD at the end of the Premier League season after 26 years as its host.

The former England captain will however remain with the BBC until the end of the 2026 World Cup.

Speculation is rife as to who will fill the 63-year-old’s shoes, with Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan leading the race.

Jordan is not thrilled with these options however, taking particularly aim at Match of the Day 2 presenter Chapman and Football Focus host Scott in his column for the Daily Mail.

‘I certainly don’t want my iconic Saturday football highlights show littered with social messages and a group of must-haves rather than should-haves, otherwise it will quickly follow that former entertaining show Football Focus down the plughole of viewing figures,’ Jordan wrote.

‘Mark Chapman is lucky I’m not on the selection panel because I haven’t forgotten him downing tools last year when the BBC had their issue with Lineker and it wasn’t really any of his business.

‘For Lineker’s successor, all I say is get the best in class. Don’t allow a situation where a 24-year-old producer decides the next generation of presenter needs to have an opinion on rainbow flags.’

Instead, the 57-year-old has thrown two names into the ring the corporation likely don’t have on their long list, firstly Jim White, his co-host on talkSPORT who previously spent 23 years at the forefront of Sky Sports.

‘It depends what the BBC want the show to be. If they want it to have continued gravitas and a professional in charge who can manage the opinions of others rather than shrieking their own, Jim White is ideal,’ Jordan added.

‘For those who shout nepotism, I couldn’t care less. He’s very, very good at what he does and while not in the first flush of youth he conveys more energy and dynamism than broadcasters half his age. I whipped him into shape so he’s better than ever!’

But Jordan’s second recommendation will raise even more eyebrows: the highly divisive former TalkTV host Morgan.

‘On the other hand, if the BBC are desperate to reflect a new era of media on Match of the Day and want a personality to dominate, Piers Morgan can do whatever he puts his mind to.

‘He thinks he knows about football – the only question would be if they could afford him.’

While not a sports presenter, Morgan is an outspoken Arsenal and football fan, with his explosive 2022 interview with Cristiano Ronaldo leading to the Manchester United legend’s infamous exit from the club.

Whoever gets the job will have a tough task following on from Lineker, who recently shared some advice for his successor on The Rest is Football podcast.

‘Obviously I don’t know who it’ll be, and I would never tell publicly my preference, I don’t think that’d be the right thing to do – but whoever it is, I would say be yourself,’ the legendary striker said.

‘I had to fill the ginormous shoes of certain Des Lynam. I would say just be yourself and enjoy it, it’s a wonderful programme to be a part of. It was brilliant before I took over, and it will be brilliant after I leave.’

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