Gary Lineker has been presenting MOTD for over 25 years (Image: Getty)
Ex- skipper Stuart Pearce believes it’s a ‘real shame’ has stepped down as host, but the striker’s former team-mate has named his ideal replacement.
It was from presenting the much-loved Saturday night staple at the end of the current football season.
By the time he hangs up his microphone, Lineker would’ve been in the Match of the Day hot seat for a quarter-of-a-decade, having taken over from Des Lynam in 1999.
But Lineker’s former Three Lions chum Pearce believes the legendary broadcaster could’ve still continued as the Match of the Day anchor.
Speaking exclusively to Express Sport, the 78-cap England international said: “It will be interesting to see who they put in place, but I think it’s a real shame that has stepped away from it, I really do.”
The rumour mill surrounding potential Lineker replacements was already swirling well before the ex-Barcelona and ace’s departure was set in stone.
Lineker even joked earlier this year.
However, Pearce has thrown his weight behind current front-runner and regular Mark Chapman.
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Stuart Pearce and Gary Lineker were in the England team that reached the 1990 World Cup semi-final (Image: Getty)
Mark Chapman is the front-runner to be named the next Match of the Day host (Image: Getty)
When quizzed on who should be next in line after Lineker, Pearce stated: “He [Lineker] has done an incredible job, I think he’s a great presenter.
“But Mark Chapman’s name has been mentioned, I think he’s very good at what he does as well.”
Alongside Chapman, both ex-player Alex Scott and presenter Kelly Cates have also been touted as potential Lineker successors, as well as broadcaster Kelly Somers and Sky Sports man Dave Jones.
Pearce had been speaking at the launch of the FA and E.ON Next’s – a campaign targeted at making football clubs up and down the pyramid more sustainable.
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Commenting on the initiative, Pearce said: “The campaign is launching for five years which is fantastic, they’re going to go around to a minimum of 100 clubs this year and just give them guidance on how they might be more sustainable and greener.”
England Lionesses legend Anita Asante also told Express Sport: “The campaign is dedicated to investing £1.5million every year into grassroots while helping them understand the different sustainable practices they can look into for their own clubs.
“Some of those clubs will have the opportunity to be audited and actually look at their installations and where it has or hasn’t been effective to help reduce energy costs.”