Lineker clarifies Match of the Day replacement with brutal reply to Richards

The hunt is on to find the next presenter of the BBC's iconic show after Lineker confirmed this would be his last season in the role.

Lineker took over hosting duties from Des Lynam in 1999 and will have clocked 25 years in the chair at the end of this Premier League campaign.

However, it won't be the end of Lineker's presence on the BBC as he will lead the broadcaster's coverage of the FA Cup next season as well as the 2026 World Cup.

Richards, a pundit on Match of the Day had been touted as one of many potential replacements for Lineker.

The subject was brought up on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast between Lineker, Richards and West Ham striker Michael Antonio.

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Antonio cheekily claimed to Lineker 'Micah's trying to take your job', but the former Manchester City defender wasn't having it.

"You know what, can I just get this out there, right," Richards said.

"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.

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"But to take over presenting one of the most iconic shows, not just in sport, but that BBC's ever had?"

Antonio sarcastically responded: "Blah, blah, blah, stop trying it, mate.

"Look at what he's trying to do? 'There's so many others they can pick over me, I just can't believe they would even put my name in the hat.'"

However, Lineker would have the brutal last word to put a dagger through Richards' faint hopes of hosting Match of the Day.

"Micah, you can totally relax," Lineker said.

"I can assure you they won't be asking you."

Richards retired from football in 2019 and became a pundit on Match of the Day in 2021.

Despite his broadcast experience, Richards is an outsider in the race to replace Lineker as host.

Mark Chapman, who has hosted Match of the Day 2 for over a decade, is the bookies' favourite at 6/4.

Boosting Chapman's candidacy is the fact he has stepped in for Lineker on the Saturday edition of the show several times.

Former Arsenal and England defender Alex Scott is another strong contender and is priced at 3/1 to take over from Lineker, as is Gabby Logan (14/1).