'It's a disrespect' – Match of the Day contender doesn't hold back on replacing Gary Lineker

Micah Richards is one of a number of names being linked to the Match of the Day presenter role following news that Gary Lineker will be stepping down at the end of the season

The rumour mill is abuzz as the race to find Gary Lineker's Match of the Day successor heats up, though Micah Richards says he finds the speculation "disrespectful".

Earlier this month it was announced that Lineker, 63, would be stepping down from his role as host of the BBC's flagship football highlights show at the end of the season after more than a quarter of a century in the job. Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman is the bookies' favourite to land the gig, but others like Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Reshmin Chowdhury are also in the running.

Richards, who is a regular pundit on Match of the Day, is another being linked to the job. However, the ex-Manchester City footballer, 36, insists other candidates are more deserving.

"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].

"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 in 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 star Michail Antonio, who was a guest on show, interjected by teasing Richards about his supposed humility. "Blah, blah, blah, stop trying it mate! 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 then quipped: "Micah, you can totally relax - I assure you they won't be asking you," prompting howls of laughter from both Richards and Antonio.

Lineker replaced Des Lynam as host of Match of the Day in 1999 and quickly became the face of the BBC's football coverage. He's currently the highest-paid presenter in the organisation, with a reported annual salary of £1.35million, and is the longest-serving host in the 60-year history of Match of the Day.

Although he'll be leaving the show when the 2024/25 Premier League season wraps up in May, Lineker will stay on at the BBC for a further 14 months in order to present coverage of the 2026 World Cup.

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