Gary Lineker has already named the man he wants to replace him at Match of the Day

has backed to replace him as the

The icon, 63, on Monday that he'd be stepping down from the role after 26 years at the end of the current season. Fans are now wondering who might replace Lineker in the hot seat.

presenter 51, is seen as a strong contender for the position. However, Lineker seems to think Richards, 36, is the ideal man to fill his shoes.

last month, he said: "I'd love to see you take over Micah, I think you'd be brilliant in the chair." He then joked: "I told them with your eyesight you'll never be able to read an autocue."

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Richards has been a regular pundit on Match of the Day since 2021. He's also a staple of football coverage and CBS Sport's broadcasting of the and a permanent fixture alongside Lineker and on

That said, the defender doesn't have any presenting experience, unlike several other primary candidates for the role. Chapman, for example, has hosted Match of the Day 2 since 2013 and has stepped in as presenter of the main show on numerous occasions.

He also fronts the BBC's Monday Night Club, and heads up the corporation's rugby league coverage. The likes of Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Jason Mohammad are also reportedly in the running for the role, while previous favourite Jermaine Jenas has seen his chances slip after being dropped by the earlier this year.

Despite leaving Match of the Day, Lineker will remain with the BBC until 2026. He will lead the corporation's coverage of the 2025/26 before signing off after the 2026 World Cup.

The and striker took over from Des Lynam as Match of the Day host in 1999, becoming the BBC's top earner. He still tops the company's pay list, with a reported salary of £1.35million per annum.

In March 2023, he was temporarily suspended from the role following controversial remarks he made about the UK government's asylum policy. A few days later, he was reinstated after several colleagues staged a walkout from their respective roles on BBC shows.

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