There are many coveted ‘hot seats’ in British sports broadcasting. Whether it’s Wimbledon, the Six Nations, World Cup, Olympics – the role of ‘main presenter’ is seen as the pinnacle.
Sometimes, it has the power to catapult said presenter into stratospheric heights – giving them a plethora of future opportunities, and an abundant supply of wealth.
This was certainly the case with Gary Lineker, who has fronted Match of the Day for the last 25 years and become synonymous with the world’s longest-running football show.
After learning the ropes in broadcasting once he quit playing, it was through MoTD he established himself as a presenter.
A whopping £1.35million pay packet from the BBC made him the corporation’s highest-paid host. His influence was palpable.
He wasn’t always popular – coming in for criticism over the summer when he described England’s performance against Denmark as ‘s***’.
Harry Kane hit back and pointedly slammed pundits who knew what it was like ‘to wear the shirt’.
Then came the controversy over posts on social media. Lineker was taken off air in March last year after criticising the language used by Government Ministers when discussing their asylum policy.
Mark Chapman seems a natural fit to replace Gary Lineker as host of Match of the Day
Lineker has become a regular staple on Saturday night television over 25 years
The fact he was reinstated after some of his colleagues pulled out of the programme in solidarity only exemplified the clout he held over the BBC.
His MoTD departure – which has been presented as a mutual decision despite Lineker reportedly offering to give up £350,000 of his salary to stay in the role – will likely disappoint those who enjoyed his ‘bantz’ and ‘cheeky-chappy’ rapport with fellow pundits.
For others, however, it represents the opportunity for a fresh start – the chance to hand the reins over to a new personality altogether.
Who that will be is now the big question. It’s an appointment of no little significance.
One only has to look back at the list of former presenters to understand the clout the position holds, Since 1964, there have only been five main presenters; Kenneth Wolstenholme, David Coleman, Jimmy Hill, Des Lynam, and Lineker.
That, in itself, is a remarkable statistic. Particularly with the propensity in TV to drop-kick every Tom, Dick and Harry as soon as they become recognisably dispensable.
For the BBC, Lineker’s exit from MoTD is therefore a seminal moment, even if it does feels like we’re falling into the trap of believing the presenter is almost more important than the programme itself.
Inevitably, the show will tick along just as nicely with a new face on board – just as it did when he took over from the esteemed Lynam.
Alex Scott is a fine broadcaster but would come under huge scrutiny as MoTD host
It’s still key that the BBC get the appointment right, of course, so that audience figures don’t plummet.
It’s entirely possible they have a new figurehead in place. Some are suggesting that Football Focus host Alex Scott is already in talks for the coveted role. The 40-year old has gained a wealth of experience over recent years, and could certainly do the job with aplomb.
A job-share is also being mooted – with speculation that Mark Chapman could work in tandem with Kelly Somers or in a revolving cast of presenters including Scott and Kelly Cates.
Chapman, who already does Match of the Day 2, responded to the claims by joking on his Sports Agents podcast: ‘I could do with a PA!’ after his co-host Gabby Logan suggested the call was on its way from MoTD.
It’s been suggested that ‘Chappers’ would be resistant to the idea of a job-share. If that’s true, I agree with him.
It would dramatically change the dynamic of the programme – and God forbid we get another ‘One Show’-type set up.
MoTD is loved and respected for its critical analysis and experience of the game. The sole-presenter dynamic works because that person is there to ask the questions, create a strong, lasting relationship with guests and viewers, lead the floor, and keep the whole programme ticking along.
For me, Chapman has all of these qualities by the bucketload. He’s one of the best we have in this country.
His coverage during the summer Olympics showed his critical nous, his ability to tackle difficult subjects with ease, his knowledge of the footballing landscape – and the brilliant ability to exude personality, authority and good humour.
It puts him streets ahead of anyone else being mentioned in connection with the job.
I am a massive fan of Gabby Logan, who has also been linked to the job-share idea – and would love to see her considered as a stand-in presenter.
But Chapman remains my personal go-to choice. Others will, inevitably, disagree.
My fear is that some of the females being linked to the role will receive too much kick-back and negativity, should the position go their way.
The sad fact is that many people won’t like a woman being in charge. And they’ll be criticised beyond belief if they deign to make the slightest error or fail to maintain viewing figures.
It’s critical, therefore, that the BBC make the correct decision here – and go with whoever is simply best for the role.
And that’s with a presenter who continues to associate well with the MoTD audience and, pertinently, does not become bigger than the show itself.
MoTD – its music, its make-up – is a footballing institution. The BBC lose that at their peril.
