Kelly Cates is reportedly set to join the BBC and form a “three-person presenting team” on Match of the Day, in a “huge blow” for Sky Sports.
Confirmed last month Gary Lineker to step down as MOTD presenter The season ends after 26 years.
He will also officially leave the BBC after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Lineker’s annual salary of £1.35m will be significantly reduced at the end of 2024/25 before leaving the BBC after a year and a half.
“I feel now is the right time,” the former England manager said of his decision. “I think [with] Next [highlights] Contractually, they want to do Match of the Day a little bit differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.
He added on the What’s Left Is Football podcast: “I always thought the next thing for me would be the end. I thought about it for a long time. I’ve been doing Match of Day for 25 years. To be able to present it to the BBC I am so happy and honored to have such an iconic show.
“But all things must come to an end.
“this [rights] The cycle starts next season, so it feels like it would be a little weird if I did it another year.
“So I thought it might be wise not just for me but for the BBC to get a different presenter.
“But I really wanted to finish a big game [and] Also participates in the FA Cup. So you’re not completely done with me yet. “
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Day Two match presenter Mark Chapman has quickly emerged as the favorite to replace Lineker, although Gabby Logan and Sky Sports’ Kelly Cates are also reported to be top candidates.
There is talk of more than one presenter being chosen, which seems to be what the BBC is planning.
Sky Sports presenter Kelly Cates will head to MOTD at the end of 2024/25
according to daily mail“, “Cates joins the BBC to host MOTD, which is a major blow to Sky Sports.”
Cates, 49, will apparently form a “three-person demo team” alongside Logan and Chapman.
The Glasgow-born daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has experience working on talkSPORT and BBC Radio 5 Live, as well as at ESPN, STV, Channel 5, Channel 4, GMTV, ITV, Setanta Sports (RIP) TV work. and co-hosts ESPN’s “Talk of the Terrace” with Chapman.
The report claims that the talented Cates “has been identified by the BBC as the leading external candidate to succeed Gary Lineker”, with responsibilities for MOTD and MOTD 2 “shared” between the three.
The report added:
Lineker took over hosting duties of the BBC’s flagship program from Des Lynam in 1999, and the show is set to come to an end after 26 years. The 63-year-old will also leave the BBC entirely after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. It’s understood executives, led by new sporting director Alex Kay-Jeski, want to take the show in a new direction and, as the Daily Mail revealed, they’re considering adding new players to the show Add news elements.
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