Gary Lineker tipped to be replaced on Match of the Day by former Premier League midfielder

Former Premier League midfielder turned TV presenter Jermaine Jenas is being tipped as the prime candidate to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day, should he decide to step down from his long-standing role.

Lineker has been at the helm of the BBC's highly viewed Premier League highlights show every Saturday night for years. However, some insiders are predicting his departure, either when his current contract expires or even before then.

Over the past month, Gary was the main anchor on the BBC coverage of Euro 2024, although some viewers argued that his colleagues Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman outperformed him when they were given the opportunity to lead for matches. Betting experts Fair Betting Sites have also offered odds of 8/11 that Gary will relinquish his Match of the Day role, with former Newcastle and Tottenham player Jermaine Jenas being the favorite to take over.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Takefusa Kubo bid, Odilon Kossounou inquiry, Goncalo Inacio price drop
READ MORE: Wataru Endo benched in preseason game as Arne Slot's Liverpool strategy clear

Jenas, who has been one of the regular hosts of The One Show over the last few years, as well as a football pundit, leads the pack on 6/4, with another existing BBC star, former England Lionesses hero Alex Scott, currently second in the odds.

Alex is on 7/2, just ahead of Mark Chapman, after his impressive stint at the Euros, with ITV's Laura Woods, rounding out the top five on 10/1, ahead of the likes of Gabby Logan and Jake Humphrey, reports Chronicle Live .

Andy Newton, spokesperson for Fair Betting Sites, weighed in on the Gary Lineker and Match of the Day situation: "His criticism of Gareth Southgate at the Euros is the latest action to have reportedly riled the BBC and you feel with strained tensions the corporation are closer than ever to replacing Lineker as MOTD host.

"With 25 years at the MOTD helm Lineker's boots will be big ones to fill, but another former Spurs player Jermaine Jenas has impressed in his One Show presenting role for the BBC and it's no shock to see him shortest in the betting to land one of the best presenting football jobs in the land. ".