Former Newcastle United player ‘set’ to succeed Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host
Jermaine Jenas spent three years at Newcastle United before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2005
Former Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas is the favourite to succeed Gary Lineker as Match of the Day presenter.
England legend Lineker has hosted the BBC’s flagship football programme since 1999. He was temporarily sidelined last year after criticising the government’s immigration policy due to the company’s impartiality commitments.
Lineker - the BBC’s highest earner on a staggering £1.35million per year - ultimately returned to action just three days later but talk has emerged about his potential successor. According to bookmakers, ex-Toon star Jenas could be in line to lead the coverage once Lineker steps down.
Newcastle signed the 41-year-old in 2002 after fighting off interest from Leeds United. Jenas was part of the side that competed in the Champions League under Sir Bobby Robson, spending three years at St James’ Park before joining Tottenham Hotspur.
Injuries curtailed his career early in 2014 and, like Lineker, he pursued a media career. Football fans will be familiarised with Jenas from Match of the Day and he is the 2/1 favourite to land the top job.
This comes after the former midfielder was made a main presenter on The One Show in 2021. Bookmakers believe Jenas is the front-runner to step in should Lineker step down.
Other candidates include ex-Lionesses star Alex Scott (7/2), Micah Richards (5/1) and Mark Chapman (8/1), who regularly presents Match of the Day 2. Newcastle legend Alan Shearer - the leading pundit - is a long shot at 10/1.