Gary Lineker will stop presenting BBC’s flagship Premier League highlights show Match of the Day at the end of the season. The former striker has led the coverage since 1999 but the BBC have decided against renewing his contract.

The 63-year-old will continue to present on the channel, with his last gig expected to be fronting the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico coverage.

Mark Chapman, Gaby Logan, Alex Scott and Jason Mohammad are the four frontrunners to replace Lineker.

Express Sport writers have cast their view on who should step into the hotseat…

Sam Smith

The BBC should go rogue in appointing Gary Lineker’s successor. The mainstream candidates for the position are relatively uninspiring.

I therefore say: Give it to Micah Richards. It is a role that needs a big personality, someone who can guide the discussion and throw in the odd pun.

In all likelihood, Mark Chapman will get the job. Chapman is a safe pair of hands and, with the BBC holding the late-night Premier League highlights package until the summer of 2030, bosses will see little need to go big with their next presenter. Richards would be a hugely fun watch, though.

Charlie Malam

It has to be between Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan. They are the BBC’s best presenters after Lineker and are the best bets for keeping the unique personality of Match of the Day alive.

Both Chapman and Logan are less outspoken than Lineker so that suits the BBC’s higher-ups but take away nothing from their ability. Both ask engaging questions, articulate themselves brilliantly and have equal amounts of experience and character.

Chapman is already the host of MOTD2, which only trails MOTD in its quality of pundits alongside ‘Chappers’, and Logan was as good as ever at the Euros and Olympics this year. Don’t forget she was the Final Score host for a while too.

Charlie Gordon

The BBC’s decision should boil down to who will do the best job, plain and simple.

Gary Lineker went from a retired footballer to a seasoned broadcasting veteran. And no matter what you think of him, he leaves big shoes to fill.

If the former footballer theme sticks, Alex Scott would be a fine replacement. But Chappers gets my vote. Like an England boss graduating from the Under-21s, Chapman deserves the promotion from Match of the Day 2 to the country’s flagship highlights show

Tom Parsons

Mark Chapman is the only person the BBC need to even consider for the Match of the Day gig. He has done an outstanding job on Match of the Day 2 and is miles ahead of the other candidates.

Chapman is humble, engaging and doesn’t attempt to hog the limelight. He facilitates the conversation between the experts and steers the ship tremendously.

If Chappers is handed the role, he will draw in football fans and keep viewers happy for years to come. Don’t overthink this one BBC.