Chapman, Cates and Logan confirmed as Lineker’s replacements

Mark Chapman insists there’s “completely no competitors” between himself, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan after the trio had been in the present day confirmed as the brand new hosts of Match of the Day.

Though the line-up had been broadly anticipated, there have been initially solutions Chapman was not eager on sharing the position and wished it to be a solo gig.

Nevertheless, the BBC in the present day introduced the broadly predicted line-up to take over from Gary Lineker, who has been sole host for the previous 25 years, at first of the subsequent Premier League season in August.

New squad for subsequent season! ✍️

We’re delighted to announce that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will share Match of the Day presenting duties from 2025-26.#MOTD #BBCFootball #KellyCates #MarkChapman #GabbyLogan pic.twitter.com/r8hU5Owm8b

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 15, 2025

Not simply Saturday night time duties

Along with the flagship Saturday night time slot, they can even share Match of the Day 2 duties and the Champions League highlights present on a Wednesday night time.

Chapman, who has introduced MOTD2 in addition to quite a few reveals on BBC 5 Stay for a few years, stated: “There’s one thing fairly good in regards to the three of us having all labored collectively for thus a few years, all at the same age, to have this chance collectively, as three associates.

“There’s completely no competitors between the three of us.

“Me and Kelly had been doing reveals collectively 20 years in the past and nonetheless do radio reveals collectively on 5 Stay.

“However I’m excited to be working with two presenters who’re crew gamers and simply need the very best for the present, the individuals who work on it and the viewers.”

#BBCFootball #MOTD pic.twitter.com/9K59gFBCUy

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 15, 2025

Cates to maintain job at Sky Sports activities

Cates, the daughter of former Liverpool participant and supervisor Kenny Dalglish, will retain her position with Sky Sports activities in addition to taking on the brand new alternative.

She stated: “As soon as I sit in that chair and the theme music begins, I simply know that’s going to be a very unbelievable second. I’ve labored with numerous the pundits earlier than they usually’re all implausible, so I’m simply wanting ahead to getting began.

“I’ve recognized Gabby and Mark rather well for years so to deliver all of it collectively, embracing the digital aspect of issues, it seems like a very complete soccer bundle for followers and that’s what makes it so thrilling too.”

Logan added: “It’s all the time an actual second [sitting in the chair] as a result of it has such historical past. It’s nonetheless so related to so many individuals now and talked about in a panorama the place TV’s modified a lot.

“There’s an unlimited duty to ensure we proceed to evolve whereas on the similar time respecting the traditions of Match of the Day. Individuals need to see the targets, they need to see the incidents, they need to see the moments everybody’s speaking about, so whereas we are able to tinker on the edges, the core is the soccer.”

Gary has carried out an exceptional job – Kay-Jelski

BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski stated: “I do know viewers will love these three unbelievable broadcasters and journalists on the coronary heart of our soccer protection subsequent season.

“They’re good at what they do and MOTD viewers could be certain they are going to be nicely taken care of as the massive soccer speaking factors are expertly analysed.

“Gary has carried out an exceptional job at Match of the Day for the final 25 years, he’ll be missed significantly and all of us nonetheless get to get pleasure from him on our screens throughout a few of soccer’s biggest tournaments.

“Outdoors of Match of the Day we’ve bought some nice new reveals, voices and surprises lined up for the 2025-26 season throughout audio, video and digital and we look ahead to sharing them with you all later within the 12 months.

“It’s a really thrilling time for BBC Sport’s soccer protection.”