GARY LINEKER has a “ready-made replacement” working at the BBC should he decide to leave Match of the Day.
The former England striker, 63, has presented the flagship football show since 1999 when he succeeded Des Lynman.
His contract comes to an end in the summer and it remains to be seen whether he will extend his stay as the frontman for the programme.
But Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson, 67, feels the BBC already have a clear No1 candidate to step into Lineker’s shoes should he depart at the end of the season.
Lawrenson spent many years as a Match of the Day pundit alongside Lineker and fellow Reds icon Alan Hansen.
And he believes Mark Chapman, a regular host of Match of the Day 2, is poised to succeed Lineker.
Speaking to Metro courtesy of Free Bets, he said: “I still tune in regularly. It is still a very good programme, full stop.
‘I know there is a lot of speculation over Gary at the moment. Would it surprise me if he left at the end of the season? Possibly no.
“But he has earned the right to make his own decision, there is no doubt there whatever.
“And in Chappers, there is a ready-made replacement if it goes that way. It will be up to Gary.”
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Alongside his stints on Match of the Day 2, Chapman also presents on BBC Radio 5 Live and Sky Sports.
But despite Chapman’s pedigree, Lawrenson insists it will be a tough job should he take the helm on Match of the Day.
He added: “Replacing Gary, it’s a big role for whoever takes it. Before him, Des [Lynam] and Jimmy Hill did it for years and were wonderful but at the end of it all, your time comes.
“But the good thing for Gary is, I think he will decide. I don’t think the BBC will decide. He will decide if he wants to go. He has earned the right to do so. He’s earned the right to leave.
“He’s in his 60s now, I’m not sure what else he has going on that could possibly be a substitute for Match Of The Day because when you first leave it feels like someone has chopped your arm off.
“But he can do whatever he wants.”
