Pundit says he's practised Lineker's job in hint over next Match of the Day host
Jermaine Jenas has revealed that he has practised being Match of the Day host after getting approval from Gary Lineker.
The former Leicester, Everton and Tottenham striker has led the BBC’s highlights programme since taking the reins from Des Lynam in 1999. With Lineker now having enjoyed a 25-year run, the conversation has naturally turned to his potential replacement.
One of his current colleagues, Jenas, has confirmed that he has stepped into Lineker’s chair on occasions. Speaking on 'That Peter Crouch Podcast', the former midfielder said: "When I do Match of the Day, there used to be a woman called Michelle who used to do Gary’s autocue.
“So when Gary was in makeup I used to go run and jump in the seat and be like ‘look Michelle let’s do the autocue’. She was like ‘go on quick do it’ and we’d just run through the whole show."
Jenas has already embarked on a presenting career. He has appeared on Match of the Day as a pundit, while he has hosted The One Show and TNT Sports’ coverage of Formula E.
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Speaking about his future, he added: "I was just practising and that wasn’t me going ‘oh I want to do Gary’s job’. It was me just thinking ‘right, what’s it like in this seat, for him, to present’, because I wanted to know what it felt like.
"She’d kind of go ‘ah yeah you’ve messed up there’, we’d have a laugh with it. Then he’d come and go ‘get out the seat’. I think it was more, I knew I didn’t just want to be a pundit my whole life, as much as I love it."
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And if Jenas was to take the path, he would have the blessing of his predecessor with Lineker already giving the thumbs up to him potentially stepping into the role. Speaking on the Match of the Day Top 10 podcast, he said: "Jermaine Jenas - who is probably drifting more towards my role. I think Jermaine is doing it really well as well, doing The One Show."
Lineker’s podcast colleague Micah Richards then asked if he was nervous about Jenas replacing him some time soon. He replied: "Nervous? I'm ancient. My time is nearly up."
The BBC could have a call to make over Lineker’s role at Match of the Day in the immediate future. His current deal expires when the BBC’s existing highlights deal expires at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Reports have suggested that he is in line to sign a new £1.3m-per-year deal to extend his stay until at least 2029, with the BBC expected to win the rights to show highlights once again.
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