Des Lynam calls for BBC to dramatically change Match of the Day format and axe presenters after Gary Lineker exit

FORMER Match of the Day host Des Lynam has urged the BBC to pick one host for their iconic highlights show. The programme has been given a makeover since the exit of Gary Lineker. Former Match of the Day presenter Des Lynam believes the BBC should pick one presenter Credit: BBC The Beeb split duties between Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan after Gary Lineker’s exit Credit: PA The Beeb decided to split hosting duties between Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates rather than choosing one main anchor. But Lynam, who presented Match of the Day for 11 years between 1988 and 1999, feels the full-time role should go to Cates. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! He said he had no issue with Logan or Chapman but felt Cates should be “the face of the programme”. He told the Telegraph: “Here we are, 13 months into the fudged plan of having three presenters with a carousel of pundits. “My wish would be to see Kelly Cates become the sole presenter and have her as the face of the programme, exclusive to the BBC. “It used to be said the audience wanted a man in front of the camera, but I do not go along with that now – times have changed. Kelly is “the man for the job”, so to speak!” Lynam claimed fans didn’t want to see presenters on various different TV channels after seeing Cates host on the BBC and Sky. He added: “I do not like that I switch channels and see the same faces working for different broadcasters covering the same sport. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK “For example, Kelly presented Match of the Day on Saturday night and was then working on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday the next day. “Viewers like constants. You cannot go back to how it was when Alan Hansen was on every week with me, but they need a small stable, not 12. “The solution is one presenter – that would be Kelly Cates. They have the iconic theme tune. “They have the title that reverberates far and wide, and they have the history. Long live the institution.” Match of the Day has been a beloved show among fans for decades since it started in 1964. Lineker hosted the show for 26 years before leaving in 2025 amid a row over impartiality. The broadcaster sparked fury after he shared a pro-Gaza video that likened supporters of Israel to rats. Lineker – who has since apologised for the post – was already set to end his stint on Match of the Day at the end of the 2025-26 season. But he scrapped plans to continue working with the BBC for the FA Cup final and World Cup later that summer in light of the row. Comment now