‘I’ll reserve judgement’ – Match of the Day icon's verdict on Gary Lineker’s replacements

Legendary BBC presenter Des Lynam has spoken out about the future of Match of the Day, warning it may well lose its edge after Gary Lineker steps down as host.

Lineker, who filled the presenting shoes left by Lynam back in 1999, will be bowing out after an iconic run once the 2024/25 season ends, marking an era spanning over a quarter-of-a-decade at the helm. In January, the BBC announced that Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Kelly Cates will jointly handle the presenting responsibilities starting next season, a decision that hasn't entirely convinced Lynam.

Speaking to Metro, the 82-year-old said that while Chapman, Logan, and Cates are all stellar broadcasters, splitting the role between three might not do the programme any favours. He even went so far as to suggest that perhaps none of them shone enough during the hiring process.

"I'll reserve my judgement for when they start working, [but] the fact there are three of them is a bit of a weakness," Lynam said. "If there was one outstanding candidate, you'd put them in [by themselves]. But they're all talented, competent broadcasters."

When quizzed on the necessity for diversity in broadcasting, Lynam simply stated: "I think it doesn't matter what sex anybody is. It's what they can do. Can they do the job?"

Lynam took the reins at Match of the Day in 1988, succeeding the late Jimmy Hill. He spent 11 years in the role before handing the baton to Lineker, now 64, when he switched to ITV in 1999. "I was probably a bit of a fool in leaving it to Gary," Lynam quipped. "I went because ITV offered me a ton of money."

He also commented on Lineker's initial struggles and subsequent mastery of the job: "Gary will very much be missed... he was poor to begin with and he took time to adjust," Lynam added. "But once he got the hang of it he was off and away. The last 10 years he's been magnificent. He's got two things that you need: football knowledge and he's good to look at."

Chapman and Logan, both at 51, are well-established names at the BBC, and have each previously taken turns at presenting Match of the Day, although not permanently. Meanwhile, Cates, 49, is making the shift to BBC after a spell at Sky Sports.

Reacting to their positions on MOTD last month, Logan expressed the significance of the show: "It's always a real moment [sitting in the chair on MOTD] because it has such history," she said. "It's still so relevant to so many people now and talked about in a landscape where TVs changed so much.

"There's an enormous responsibility to make sure we continue to evolve while at the same time respecting the traditions of Match of the Day. People want to see the goals, they want to see the incidents, they want to see the moments everyone's talking about, so while we can tinker at the edges, the core is the football."

Echoing her soon-to-be colleague's sentiments, Cates said: "Once I sit in that chair and the theme music starts, I just know that's going to be a really incredible moment."

Chapman added: "I know the history of a lot of radio programmes and TV programmes and I do feel honoured to be following in the footsteps of the people that we are following in and respectful of what they have done."

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