GARY LINEKER savagely ruled out one of the favourites to replace him as Match of the Day presenter with a hilariously brutal 14-word put down.
The former England striker, 63, revealed earlier this month he will leave the programme at the end of the season after 25 years as host.
A number of names have been linked with the vacancy including Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Kelly Somers.
Regular Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards are also in the frame.
Recent data showed Shearer to be the viewers’ preference to succeed Lineker.
But it appears ex-Manchester City right-back Richards, 36, has been dismissed by Lineker.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Richards attempted to rule himself out of the running.
He said: “You know what, can I just get this out there, right.
“When people are saying Micah Richards is potentially going to take over a presenter, I think it’s a massive disrespect to all the presenters out there. There’s so many talented people.
“Just because I’m a pundit, I can give insight to a player, I feel I know the game, I watch tactics.
“But to take over presenting one of the most iconic shows, not just in sport, but that BBC’s ever had?”
He then went on to add: “There’s so many others they can pick over me, I just can’t believe they would even put my name in the hat.”
Lineker then playfully put Richards in his place by insisting there was no chance of him being chosen anyway.
He said: “Micah, you can totally relax. I can assure you they won’t be asking you.”
Chapman remains the favourite to replace Lineker, followed by Cates, Scott and Logan.
Who could replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host?
GARY LINEKER dropped the shock news that he is QUITTING Match of the Day.
The popular presenter, 63, took over hosting duties on the flagship BBC programme from Des Lynam in 1999.
But after more than 25 years in the studio hotseat, he has called time on his MOTD gig.
But as part of a huge shake-up, the BBC is considering rotating the presenters on a weekly basis.
So with Lineker vacating the chair, new names will step into his giant boots. But who could they be?
MARK CHAPMAN
Chapman, 51, is the obvious early favourite to follow on from Lineker as MOTD presenter.
He already has the gig as MOTD2 host on a Sunday night plus landed the presenting job for the new BBC Champions League highlights show.
ALEX SCOTT
Scott gets the nod from the Beeb bosses when Lineker is away.
The former right-back, 40, is used to presenting the Saturday night show as well as live match coverage – plus ticks the box as a former England international.
GABBY LOGAN
Like Scott, Logan, 51, is one of the understudies to step in when Lineker is not available.
She has done most gigs since joining the BBC in 2007, including Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year and Final Score.
MICAH RICHARDS
Lineker’s top pick to replace him is exuberant former Man City defender Richards.
The departing host told his close pal, 36, on their Stick to Football podcast: “I’d love to see you take over Micah, I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”
JASON MOHAMMAD
Mohammad could earn the “promotion” from Final Score to Match of the Day.
The 51-year-old Welshman – who took over from Logan in 2013 – is one of the BBC’s top earners already and is more senior than fellow Final Score and BBC Sport broadcaster Kelly Somers, who could in theory become the main live host for the afternoon slot.
JEFF STELLING
He couldn’t, could he? While Lineker has been the face of Saturday night TV for football fans for years, the face of the afternoons was Stelling in his role as Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday presenter.
He would bring plenty of on-screen charisma, wit and legendary TV expertise – but at nearly 70 and currently with talkSPORT, the Hartlepool fan would not be a cheap or long-term appointment.
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