Sky Sports draw battle lines over Match of the Day replacement for Gary Lineker

Kelly Cates is in the discussion to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host (Image: James Baylis - AMA)

Sky Sports are reportedly ready to battle to keep Kelly Cates amid speculation she could replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host. The popular presenter is among the frontrunners to fill Lineker's shoes when he steps down at the end of the season, although he will remain with the BBC until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.

The daughter of Liverpool and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish, Cates could be hard for Sky to retain if BBC comes calling for the iconic job, which Lineker has held for 25 years. She has previously indicated her satisfaction with her varied broadcasting portfolio, which includes work for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, as well as Sky , who won't let her go without a fight according to the Times.

It's claimed she's thought highly of by senior Beeb figures, aided by the fact that she already presents 606 for Radio 5 Live. Mark Champman remains the leading internal candidate, but she's believed to be a frontrunner if they look to appoint externally.

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In an interview with The Independent, Cates said: "Do you know, and you never want to say this, but at the moment I've got a really lovely mix of everything. I've got TV, live matches, radio, and when it gets towards the end of the season I do live Champions League games too.

"I could be at an Olympics or a World Cup during the summer so the balance of everything feels really nice. But I'm not tempting fate."

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However, the allure of one of television's most prestigious presenting slots might be hard to resist should an offer materialise. Lineker is preparing to vacate the hotseat with his departure coinciding with the introduction of a new highlights deal and a fresh vision for the show.

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The former England striker said on his The Rest Is Football podcast: "It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end. It came at a point where really the BBC and Match of the Day, they've got the rights for another three years, the cycle starts from next season, so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird.

"I bowed out in my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel this is now the right time. I think [with] the next contract, they're looking to do Match of the Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm."

Lineker has declined to publicly endorse a replacement, instead offering words of wisdom to whoever takes over. He added: "Obviously, I don't know who it'll be, and I would never tell publicly my preference.

"I don't think that'd be the right thing to do – but whoever it is, I would say be yourself. I had to fill the ginormous shoes of certain Des Lynam. I would say just be yourself and enjoy it, it's a wonderful programme to be a part of. It was brilliant before I took over, and it will be brilliant after I leave."