Surprise Gary Lineker replacement mooted as BBC prepare to find new Match of the Day host

Gary Lineker, September 2023
Gary Lineker recently announced his decision to leave the BBC's 'Match of the Day' at the end of the 2024/25 campaign (Image credit: Getty Images)

A surprise candidate to replace Gary Lineker as the next host of Match of the Day has emerged.

Lineker - ranked at No.45 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest Barcelona players of all time - recently announced his decision to leave the show, bringing an end to a role he has down for close to three decades in total.

Speculation has since heightened as to who the BBC could turn to next, with names such as Mark Chapman and Alex Scott just two of the early frontrunners for the job.

Reshmin Chowdhury being considered as a potential replacement for Gary Lineker

Reshmin Chowdhury

Reshmin Chowdhury is said to have emerged as a contender, according to reports (Image credit: Getty Images)

A name that may not be familiar to most, BBC's Reshmin Chowdhury has been tipped as Lineker's replacement on Match of the Day, according to a report recently from MailSport.

The 46-year-old was previously courted by the BBC's Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski when he worked for The Atheltic, but nothing was agreed. However, a new opportunity to work on football's biggest programme could now be a potential avenue.

Reshmin Chowdhury

Reshmin Chowdhury is most notably seen on TNT Sports (Image credit: Getty Images)

Often seen on TNT Sports and the BBC for major sporting events like this summer's European Championships, Chowdhury has a plethora of experience in TV and could now look to land the biggest job of her career to date.

Huge gigs have been the co-hosting of the Champions League draw since 2017 and the draw for the 2022 World Cup alongside TV star and DJ extraordinare Idris Elba.

The BBC are not expected to make a decision for a few months whilst Lineker himself recently admitted he does not know who will replacement him in time for the start of the 2025/26 season.

"Obviously, I don't know who it'll be, and I would never tell publicly my preference, I don’t think that’d be the right thing to do – but whoever it is, I would say be yourself," said Lineker recently.

"I had to fill the ginormous shoes of certain Des Lynam. I would say just be yourself and enjoy it, it's a wonderful programme to be a part of. It was brilliant before I took over, and it will be brilliant after I leave."

In FourFourTwo's opinion, Chowdhury isn't the name we were imagining when predicting the next host of Match of the Day, in all honesty. The role needs someone to make it their own and have that sparkle that Lineker often provides, we just don't know if it is the right step.

Matthew Holt

Matthew is a Freelance Journalist and has racked up bylines for Manchester United, Manchester Evening News, GOAL and SPORTbible to name a few. A long-term sufferer of Scunthorpe United, he currently resides in the north-west after escaping the smog of North Lincolnshire.

Read more
Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville and Kelly Cates share a laugh at pitchside in Cardiff while presenting for Sky Sports
'Getting the Match of the Day job was like being pregnant - I've got a really lovely secret, and I can't tell anybody' Kelly Cates excited to take over from Gary Lineker
BBC Sport Presenter, Alex Scott, reacts prior to the Barclays Women's Super League match between Everton and Manchester City at Walton Hall Park on December 15, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
Who are the commentators and pundits on the BBC this weekend?
TNT Sports will show 52 Premier League games live across the 2024/25 campaign
TNT Sports {YEAR} presenters, pundits and commentators: The TNT Sports line-up in full
Gary Lineker, September 2023
Liverpool need to prove Gary Lineker right after brutal comparison to Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United
CBS presenter Kate Scott, with the reactions of Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards
Kate Scott shocks fellow pundits with celebrity crush admission
Front cover of Gary Lineker: A Portrait of a Football Icon a new biography written by Chris Evans
WIN a copy of ‘Gary Lineker: A Portrait of a Football Icon’ a new biography by Chris Evans
Latest in Stories
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed