For the first time in more than 25 years, football fans tuning into Match of the Day will see a different face leading the iconic BBC show.
The Premier League’s big kickoff this week won’t just be about the action on the pitch — it’s also the dawn of the post-Gary Lineker era.
After decades as the anchor and a headline-making career both on and off the screen, Lineker signed off last season following controversy over anti-Semitism remarks, for which he later apologised.
Now, the baton is passing to a familiar BBC figure — Mark Chapman.
Mark Chapman Gets the Opening Night Spotlight
According to The Telegraph, Chapman will host the very first Match of the Day of the new season.
A long-standing presence on the BBC, he’s best known for steering Match of the Day 2 on Sundays, but this time he’ll be front and centre on Saturday night.
Joining him for the opener will be the returning Alan Shearer and former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney — who’s been finding his stride as a pundit after stepping away from management.
Rooney’s Transition from Dugout to Studio
Rooney has been out of the dugout since parting ways with Plymouth Argyle on New Year’s Eve, ending a tough seven-month run.
That marked his fourth managerial stint in just four years, following spells with Derby County, DC United, and Birmingham City.
The 39-year-old has since embraced punditry, appearing on Amazon Prime Video’s Champions League coverage and popping up as a guest on Match of the Day.
Now, he’s signed on with the BBC for a two-year deal worth a cool £800,000.
Big Numbers Behind the BBC Paycheques
That payday puts Rooney among the BBC’s highest earners, with the latest annual report showing only seven people earning more than £400,000 a year.
Shearer, for instance, reportedly takes home about £440,000 — still far behind Lineker’s eye-watering £1.35 million annual salary during his reign.
A Small but Notable Change to the MOTD Brand
There’s also a subtle rebrand in the works.
The Sunday edition of the programme will no longer be called “Match of the Day 2” — the “2” is being dropped altogether.
The revamped version will hit screens for the first time this weekend, giving viewers a slightly fresher feel to go with the new hosting lineup.
