Legendary BBC commentator Barry Davies has expressed surprise at the decision to replace Gary Lineker with a trio of presenters - Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan - on the iconic Match of the Day program.
Lineker, who has been the face of the popular football highlights show for more than two decades, will step down from his role at the end of the 2024-25 season. The BBC's decision to appoint three different presenters as his replacement has raised eyebrows, including those of Davies, one of English football's most respected voices.
"I'm surprised at the decision that's been made," Davies told SunSport. "But then I'm quite surprised at the jobs that are given to various people these days, and the need apparently to use people. They're very good broadcasters, but I'm surprised that they think it's better to have three people doing it."
Despite his reservations about the format change, Davies acknowledged the quality of the incoming presenters. "Gary himself would feel that he's done long enough. They're all very good broadcasters, and they know about the games, no doubt about that," he said.
The transition has already begun, with Chapman taking his place in the presenter's chair on January 15, joined by regular pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. This early introduction came six months before he officially assumes the role as one of the three presenters replacing Lineker.
Davies, reflecting on the evolution of football broadcasting, added: "It should go on forever. Because it's very popular, it's recorded matches, some of the matches I've been watching these days are much better recorded! I'm sure, as sure as I can be, television has changed and football has changed. For the better? I don't know, no."
Football fans can catch the next installment of Premier League action on Sunday, featuring Tottenham hosting Bournemouth, Chelsea facing Leicester, and Arsenal taking on Manchester United in the day's final match.
