Former Premier League star Troy Deeney is passionately against Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day job being shared between two presenters.
The BBC are reportedly hoping to give the hot seat to Mark Chapman and Kelly Somers on a rotating basis. But the plan was thrown back in their face when ‘Chappers’, who wants the job for himself, refused the proposal.
Deeney – a regular guest on Match of the Day 2 – believes that offering split duties to the presenter duo is a ‘cop out’.
“I feel it’s an iconic show and you’re used to seeing one person,” the former Watford striker said on talkSPORT. “I want to go and see one person, whether that be Chappers or that be Kelly. I know both of them – great, great people.
“So whoever you choose to go with, I think trying to job share it is a cop out, in my opinion. Make a decision, go with somebody and then we all know that’s where the show’s going, that’s who it is.”
Lineker is set to step down from his sought-after MOTD post at the end of this season after weeks of tense negotiations with the BBC.
The former England international eventually agreed to an 18-month contract extension, which involves a big hit to his £1.35million-a-year salary and will see him lead the broadcaster’s coverage of the FA Cup in 2025/26 as well as the next World Cup.
Rangers legend Ally McCoist agrees with Deeney in that the BBC should commit to one presenter as their new MOTD anchor. “I’ve grown up with it, I’ve always loved it. I really have,” he said on talkSPORT.
“And I’m with you [Deeney], mate. I think whether it’s Chappers or Kelly, you should have one focal point presenting it. And it’s a tough job to follow because Gary’s been brilliant since 1999, and like Des Lynam before him, all the guys before him are iconic.
“But it is really hard to be a part of it. We’re seeing the goals before we pick up a newspaper. We’ve seen the goals before we watch Match of the Day – we’ve known all about the sending offs, everything, so it’s very, very difficult to keep it as topical as possible. But for me, guys… I think it should be one new person fronting it.”
