- A new favourite has emerged to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day
- Jermaine Jenas, the previous favourite, has been sacked by the BBC
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A new favourite has emerged to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day presenter after Jermaine Jenas was sacked by the BBC.
Many bookmakers saw Jenas as the favourite to replace Lineker if he eventually stepped down.
However, Jenas has been sacked from Match of the Day and the One Show, effectively ending his hopes of succeeding Lineker.
Lineker has presented Match of the Day since 1999. His current contract expires in 2025.
It is reported that the complaints about Jenas related to his ‘behaviour in the workplace’ and the issues were raised with the broadcaster a few weeks ago, after which action was taken.
A new favourite to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day has emerged after Jermaine Jenas was sacked
Lineker, who has presented Match of the Day since 1999, sees his contract expire next year
Jenas last presented The One Show on 22 July, alongside co-host Alex Jones, and was a guest on the Match of The Day panel on 4 May.
Before the news of Jenas’ dismissal, Betting Expert had pegged the former Tottenham star as favourite to replace Lineker, with odds of 3/1.
Mark Chapman, who presents Match of the Day 2, is now the favourite to replace Lineker
Gabby Logan has often stood in for Lineker to present Match of the Day and is another candidate
Micah Richards, who has proven hugely popular as a commentator, has also been linked with the job
Mark Chapman, who was second favourite at 4/1, now looks set to be the favourite to step in if Lineker departs.
Chapman became the main presenter of Match of the Day 2 in 2013.
Gabby Logan, who often replaced Lineker on Match of the Day, is also among the contenders to replace Lineker at odds of 7/1. Micah Richards is available at the same price.
Kelly Somers and Alex Scott are both 8/1 odds to replace Lineker. Lineker has not yet confirmed whether he will remain as Match of the Day host beyond next year.
