Gary Lineker brutally tells pundit he won’t be the new Match of the Day host

The race to become the next Match of the Day host is on, but Gary Lineker is certain one man won’t get the job – brutally telling him that to his face.

Lineker is to leave the iconic football show at the end of the Premier League season after 26 years at the helm, but will remain with the BBC until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.

Speculation is rife as to who will take over, with Mark Chapman, Alex Scott and Kelly Cates the bookies favourites.

Kelly Sommers and Reshmin Chowdhury are also in contention, while some have even suggested Piers Morgan would be the ideal host.

One name further down the list is Micah Richards, the former Manchester City defender now a leading pundit on Match of the Day as well as Sky Sports and CBS.

Richards also knows Lineker extremely well, not only from MOTD but also The Rest is Football podcast which would seem to boost his chances.

But appearing on the latest episode of the podcast alongside West Ham star Michail Antonio, the England legend brutally ended Richards’ aspirations of becoming host, though he claims he never had any.

Upon Lineker quipping about his MOTD exit, Antonio joked: ‘Micah’s trying to take your job!’.

A serious Richards replied: ‘You know what, can I just get this out there, right.

‘When people are saying Micah Richards is potentially going to take over a presenter, I think it’s a massive disrespect to all the presenters out there. There’s so many talented people.

‘Just because I’m a pundit, I can give insight to a player, I feel I know the game, I watch tactics. But to take over presenting one of the most iconic shows, not just in sport, but that BBC’s ever had?’

Antonio, was having none of it however, interrupting: ‘Blah, blah, blah, stop trying it, mate.

‘Look at what he’s trying to do? “There’s so many others they can pick over me, I just can’t believe they would even put my name in the hat”.’

Lineker then chimed in to say: ‘Micah, you can totally relax. I can assure you they won’t be asking you!’ prompting hysterics from the trio.

Richards very much remains an outsider to become host, with the BBC expected to make a final decision on Lineker’s replacement in the next few months.

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