Mark Chapman has lastly responded to hypothesis after rising as a frontrunner to exchange Gary Lineker as the subsequent host of Match of the Day.
Lineker, 63, confirmed on Monday that he was leaving the flagship soccer present on the finish of the season after 25 years as its presenter – regardless of reportedly providing to surrender £350,000 of his £1.35million wage to remain within the position.
BBC Sport boss Alex Kay-Jelski is decided to refresh the present and seemingly declined Lineker’s supply, sparking a race to exchange him.
One concept put ahead was for Chapman, the present host of Match of the Day 2, to share presenting duties with Kelly Somers, 33, and even kind a revolving solid with Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Kelly Cates.
Now ‘Chappers’, who’s the bookies’ second favorite behind Scott to take over the gig, has damaged his silence whereas chatting with co-host Logan on the pair’s podcast The Sports Agents.
Mark Chapman is a contender for subsequent Match of the Day host and has responded to hypothesis
Gary Lineker has introduced the programme for 25 years however is quitting on the finish of the season
Chapman was talking to Sports activities Agent co-host and fellow touted MOTD host Gabby Logan
After the 51-year-old’s telephone began ringing on air, Logan took the prospect to poke enjoyable at her colleague.
She mentioned: ‘I do know, yeah. That is the BBC, Match Of The Day.’
Chapman responded: ‘Haha! I let you know what, actually, I do not know what it is like for you in the intervening time, however b***** hell, I may do with a PA in the intervening time.’
It comes after the veteran BBC presenter reportedly refused to share the job as host with one other star.
‘As quickly as Gary’s deal was finished, Alex [Kay-Jelski] made it clear he needed Mark and Kelly [Sommers] to exchange him,’ a supply advised The Sun.
‘It could successfully be a job share and they’d rotate internet hosting duties between them. Mark has made it clear inside the workforce at MOTD that this is not one thing he would wish to do.
‘He does not need a job share, he needs Gary’s position as his personal, which is comprehensible. It is a headache for the BBC as a result of they thought they’d discovered a straightforward answer. It is again to the drafting board and negotiations are ongoing.’
The broadcaster at present works inside the BBC on Radio 5 Stay and presents the Sunday model of the present – Match of the Day 2.
Reviews declare ‘Chappers’ will not be eager on the thought of rotating the position with Kelly Somers
Lineker (pictured on Tuesday) will now not current Match of the Day after this season
Chapman additionally works with Sky Sports activities because the presenter of their Carabao Cup protection, and he’s additionally an everyday podcast host.
In 25 years on the helm of the BBC’s flagship soccer programme, Lineker introduced a variety of memorable moments to the programme and its viewers, for instance presenting the present in his underpants as a part of a wager following his Leicester aspect’s shock Premier League win in 2016.
‘Broadcaster Gary Lineker is to step down as host of flagship soccer programme Match of the Day on the finish of this season, BBC Information understands,’ the BBC wrote on Monday night.
His contract with the BBC finishes on the finish of this season however he has been given an 18-month extension. Nonetheless, that won’t embrace Match of the Day anchoring duties.
Lineker is the BBC’s highest-paid presenter with a wage of £1.35million and his exit will shut a protracted chapter for one of many nation’s most iconic exhibits.
The 1986 World Cup Golden Boot winner got here in for criticism over the summer season when he described England’s efficiency towards Denmark in a 1-1 draw as ‘s***’.
His feedback earned a retaliation from Harry Kane, who hit out at assaults from pundits who knew what it’s wish to ‘put on the shirt’.
Lineker at present additionally presents a massively profitable podcast alongside fellow Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, and can proceed to take action as soon as he departs the programme on the finish of the season.
The 63-year-old will nonetheless hold presenting The Relaxation is Soccer podcast with Alan Shearer (left) and Micah Richards (centre) which the BBC will now supply on their very own Sounds app
The previous England striker first began presenting the enduring highlights present again in 1999
Lineker and his new boss BBC’s director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, began talks with the broadcaster six weeks in the past, however no contract was supplied
Lineker will depart the company altogether after the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the US when he’s 65, as first reported by MailOnline in October.
In a press release launched by the corporate, they mentioned: ‘The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in precept a contract extension by means of to the 2026 World Cup.
‘Gary will lead the protection of the event, as England as soon as once more attempt to land a primary main trophy since 1966, the opposite House Nations look to qualify and Lionel Messi goals to retain the trophy he received with Argentina.
‘Gary will even host BBC Sport’s protection of the FA Cup within the 2025-26 season, 35 years on from lifting the trophy as a participant.
‘After 1 / 4 of a century, Gary is stepping down from internet hosting Match of The Day on the finish of this season. He’ll proceed with the MOTD High Ten podcast and the BBC will even host the massively fashionable The Relaxation is Soccer podcast on BBC Sounds.’
