England legend Paul Gascoigne has backed Gareth Southgate to take over for Gary Lineker as the host of Match of the Day, with the current presenter's future uncertain.
The BBC had reportedly drafted an email confirming Lineker's departure from the show, with his current contract up at the end of the season, before the 63-year-old joked that he was appearing in his "final show... before the international break" at the top of the latest programme.
Negotiations are thought to be underway concerning a contract extension for Lineker with the BBC, who have denounced the leaked email. But after 25 years at the helm, considerations will have been made by all parties on who could take over from the former England striker.
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And Gascoigne thinks that the mild-mannered Southgate could be the perfect choice to host the show after Lineker, though that may depend on Erik ten Hag's situation at Manchester United, with the ex-England boss also linked with a move to Old Trafford.
“Lineker is quitting Match of the Day isn't he and I thought, I wonder if (Alan) Shearer is going to take over, or Southgate because he's been doing a little bit of commentary," Gascoigne told SportsCasting.
"I reckon Shearer will take over because he loves a bit of money. He's so tight he only cries from one eye! If Man United do get rid of (Erik) ten Hag, I could see Gareth Southgate taking over as manager.”
Lineker remains the Beeb's chief football presenter for the FA Cup and international matches, but Mark Chapman is one of the favourites to replace him in the long term despite Gascoigne's preference for Southgate.
Chapman currently presents Match of the Day 2 and the broadcaster's new Champions League highlights show, with Lineker previously admitting that he is unsure of what the future holds.
"It depends how long they want me, I suppose," Lineker said on BBC Breakfast earlier this year. "I love doing it at the moment. I've still got another year left, at least. So we'll have to wait and see what happens.
"Obviously it's another change in football and television and the rights of the Premier League and stuff like that. All of these things will play a part. But I just feel it's been an absolute privilege to have presented it for 25 years now. I must be getting old!"
Southgate may well have aligned himself with the prospect of succeeding Lineker, also, having confirmed that he will not return to coaching within the next year.
"I won't coach in the next year, for sure. I'm certain of that," he said at a European Club Association event in Athens. "I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time."
