November 18th 2024.
After 26 years of hosting Match of the Day, Gary Lineker has announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the 2024/25 season. This news has caused quite a stir, with many wondering who will take over as the face of the popular BBC show. Names like Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, and Kelly Cates have been thrown around as potential replacements, but now a new contender has emerged.
According to reports, Reshmin Chowdhury, a presenter for TNT Sports, has caught the eye of BBC's Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski. In fact, Kay-Jelski has previously tried to bring Chowdhury on board as the editor for The Athletic, but was unsuccessful. Now, with the opportunity to become the host of one of the most well-known sports programs in the UK, it seems like an offer she can't refuse.
Chowdhury's impressive career spans over 20 years and includes stints with top organizations like the BBC, Real Madrid, ITV, beIn Sports, UEFA, and FIFA. Currently, she can be seen on TNT Sports and talkSPORT, where she leads coverage for the Champions League and the Olympics. She has also co-hosted the Champions League draw since 2017 and even had the privilege of co-hosting the draw for the 2022 World Cup alongside Idris Elba.
As for who will ultimately replace Lineker, the decision won't be made for a few more months. However, Kay-Jelski will have the final say, which could work in Chowdhury's favor. While Mark Chapman remains the favorite according to bookies, there have been reports that he turned down the opportunity to co-host with Kelly Somers, leaving the door open for other contenders.
Speaking of odds, here are the current odds for the next Match of the Day host, courtesy of BetVictor:
- Mark Chapman - 6/4
- Alex Scott - 3/1
- Kelly Cates - 4/1
- David Jones - 8/1
- Kelly Somers - 10/1
- Dion Dublin - 14/1
- Gabby Logan - 14/1
- Reshmin Chowdhury - 14/1
It remains to be seen who will ultimately take over the coveted position, but one thing is for sure - the departure of Lineker has opened up the field for some exciting new contenders.
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