Mark Chapman is reportedly ‘not a fan of the idea’ of sharing the Match of the Day presenter job alongside female co-presenter Kelly Somers. Gary Lineker’s departure from Match of the Day at the end of the season has been confirmed by the BBC and Chapman is the early bookies’ favourite to replace him.

Mark Chapman has emerged as the favourite to succeed Gary Lineker at the helm of Match of the Day after it was announced the former England striker would be leaving his role at the end of the season

Lineker’s long-time Match of the Day colleague, Mark Lawrenson, speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, named Chapman as a ‘ready-made replacement’ for Lineker. ‘I still tune in regularly. It is still a very good programme, full stop,’ the ex-Liverpool and Republic of Ireland defender said before the BBC’s confirmed Lineker’s impending departure.

Gary Lineker reflects on what Match of the Day means to him in a resurfaced clip. The former footballer will step down from presenting the show at the end of the 2024/25 season, the BBC announced on Tuesday (12 November).

The BBC are on the lookout for a new host of Match of the Day after Gary Lineker announced he would be stepping down from the role at the end of the season

BBC stalwart Mark Chapman is the favourite to replace Gary Lineker as the host of Match of the Day when the former England striker steps down at the end of the season.

Gary Lineker, the well-known face of Match of the Day for decades, has announced his departure from the BBC's show. While he's set to remain with the BBC in other roles, fans are left curious about what happened.