The rumour mill is in full swing as speculation continues to mount over who will step into Gary Lineker‘s shoes on Match of the Day, but Micah Richards has branded the gossip “disrespectful”. Earlier this month, it was announced that Lineker, 63, would be leaving his position as the face of the BBC‘s flagship football highlights programme at the end of the season after over 25 years in the role.
While Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman is currently the bookies’ favourite to replace him, names like Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, and Reshmin Chowdhury have also been mooted. Richards, who is a regular pundit on Match of the Day, is another contender, although the former Manchester City star, 36, thinks others are better qualified.
“When people are saying ‘Micah Richards [is] potentially going to take over the presenter job’, I feel like it’s a massive disrespect to all the presenters out there,” he said on The Rest Is Football podcast. “There are so many talented people [linked to the position].”
He added: “Just because I’m a pundit, I can give insight into 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 the BBC has ever had [would be a different kettle of fish].”
West Ham ace Michail Antonio, who was a guest on the show, couldn’t resist poking fun at Richards for his modesty. “Blah, blah, blah, stop trying it mate,” he laughed. “Look what he’s trying to do, [mimicking Richards] ‘there are so many others that they can pick over me, I just can’t believe that they’re even putting my name in the hat’.”
Lineker joined in with a playful jab of his own, joking: “Micah, you can totally relax – I assure you they won’t be asking you,” which sent both Richards and Antonio into fits of laughter.
Since taking over from Des Lynam as the host of Match of the Day in 1999, Lineker has become synonymous with the BBC‘s football coverage. He is the organisation’s top earner with an annual salary of £1.35million, and is also the longest-serving host in Match of the Day’s 60-year history.
The former England striker will quit the show after the conclusion of the 2024/25 Premier League season in May but will remain with the BBC until after the 2026 World Cup.