Piers Morgan backed to replace Gary Lineker as host of Match of the Day | Football

The BBC should consider hiring someone Piers Morgan or ex-Air sports to replace host Jim White Gary Lineker as Match of the day host.

That is the opinion of the former Crystal Palace Its owner became talkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan, who wants the next presenter to be chosen ‘on merit rather than making diversity and inclusivity the key criteria’.

This was announced last week Lineker would resign from MOTD at the end of the Premier League season after 26 years as host.

However, the former England captain will remain with the BBC until the end of 2026 World Cup.

There is plenty of speculation about who will fill the 63-year-old’s shoes Mark Kapman, Alex Scott, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan led the race.

However, Jordan is not happy with these options and focuses mainly on Match of the Day 2 presenter Chapman and Football Focus presenter Scott in his column. Daily mail.

“I certainly don’t want my iconic Saturday football highlights show to be littered with social posts and a group of must-haves instead of must-haves, otherwise it will quickly follow that previously entertaining show Football Focus through the ratings,” Jordan said. wrote.

“Mark Chapman is lucky I’m not on the selection committee because I haven’t forgotten him when he downed tools last year. BBC had a problem with Lineker and it wasn’t really his business.

‘For Lineker’s successor, I just say: get the best in his class. Don’t allow a situation where a 24-year-old producer decides that the next generation of presenters should have an opinion on rainbow flags.’

Instead, the 57-year-old has thrown two names into the ring that the company is unlikely to have on their long list, firstly Jim White, his co-host at talkSPORT who previously spent 23 years at the forefront of Sky Sports.

‘It depends on what the BBC wants the show to be. If they want it to have ongoing gravitas and a professional in charge, who can control the opinions of others instead of shouting their own, then Jim White is ideal,” Jordan added.

“To those who scream nepotism, I don’t care. He is very, very good at what he does and although he is not yet in his prime, he exudes more energy and dynamism than broadcasters half his age. I’ve whipped him into shape so he’s better than ever!’

But Jordan’s second recommendation will raise even more eyebrows: the highly divisive former TalkTV host Morgan.

‘On the other hand, if the BBC is desperate to reflect a new media age on Match of the Day and wants one personality to dominate, Piers Morgan can do as he pleases.

‘He thinks he knows football. The only question would be whether they can afford him.”

Although not a sports presenter, Morgan is an outspoken Arsenal and football fan. His explosive interview with Cristiano Ronaldo in 2022 led to the Manchester United legend’s infamous departure from the club.

Whoever gets the job will have a tough task, following in the footsteps of Lineker, who recently shared some advice for his successor on The Rest is Football podcast.

‘Of course I don’t know who it will be, and I would never publicly say my preference. I don’t think that’s the right thing to do – but whoever it is, I’d say be yourself,” said the legendary striker.

‘I had to fill the gigantic shoes of a certain Des Lynam. I would say just be yourself and enjoy it, it’s a wonderful program to be a part of. It was brilliant before I took over, and it will be brilliant after I leave.”

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