One of the biggest jobs in the world of sports broadcasting has a vacancy.
Gary Lineker is to step down as host of the BBC’s flagship football programme Match of the Day at the end of this season - with the hunt now on for his replacement.
The former England footballer is the the show’s longest-serving host, having presented it since taking over from Desmond Lynam in 1999.
Lineker is the BBC’s highest-paid star, with a salary of more than £1.3m a year, and will stay with the corporation until after leading the coverage of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Here are 9 contenders for his job.
Lineker is the BBC’s highest-paid star, with a salary of more than £1.3m a year, and will stay with the corporation until after leading the coverage of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.
5. Kelly Somers - 7/1
Kelly Somers is a regular on television and radio with a SV that includes appearances on the BBC, Talksport, Premier League Productions (PLP) and Optus Sport. On the BBC she is a regular on Final Score and Match of the Day, as well as presenting Premier League Football on Amazon Prime. She's a 7/1 shot to take over from Lineker. | Getty Images
Former BBC Final Score host Jason Mohammed is 8/1 to take over one of the biggest jobs in football broadcasting. He has presented snooker, rugby and the Olympics for the BBC, as well as providing holiday cover for both Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2. He's currently the co-host of both BBC Radio 5 Live's football phone-in show 606 and Good Morning Sunday on Radio 2. | Getty Images
A regular pundit on Match of the Day, Michah Richards is priced at 10/1 to make the move over to the presenting chair. Capped 13 times for England, the former right-back played for Manchester City and Aston Villa. Sinc retiring he's worked in broadcasating for the BBC, Sky News and CBS. | Manchester United via Getty Imag
Another former footballer in the frame is Dion Dublin, now known to daytime television viewers at the host of property show Homes Under The Hammer. As a player he ran out for Manchester United, Coventry City, Aston Villa and Celtic, and was capped four times for England. He's now a regular pundit on the BBC on Football Focus, Match of the Day and Final Score, and occasionally provides co-commentary on FA Cup games. | Getty Images