Alan Shearer has already shared major concern about Gary Lineker's MOTD replacement

Alan Shearer joked that Micah Richards replacing as host would be a "massive concern". Lineker, who has been the face of the 's highlights show since 1999, is at the end of the season.

The 63-year-old regularly tops the list of the broadcaster's highest yearly earners but speculation over his future has increased in recent months. Lineker was reportedly not offered a new contract for the show, and his departure, along with a successor, are expected to be announced this week.

However, he will stay on to anchor the corporation's 2025/26 coverage as well as the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Among the list of names rumoured as the former England striker's replacement are Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman, Football Focus anchor Alex Scott and veteran BBC presenter Gabby Logan. Lineker's long-time Match of the Day colleague Shearer, however, last month addressed the idea of his fellow pundit Richards filling the vacancy.

The Newcastle legend voiced his reservations about the former Manchester City defender presenting the BBC's flagship show after bookmakers priced Richards up as one of the leading candidates to succeed Lineker.

Richards said on Podcast: "What's more concerning [is] I'm 4-1 to replace you!" to which Shearer interjected by joking: "That is a f***ing massive concern by the way. I'm not signing my new contract if you're a presenter by the way."

The BBC claimed in October that there was no news to announce regarding Lineker's position, while he himself admitted talks had been opened over a new deal. Lineker was briefly suspended from hosting the programme in March 2023 after writing a critical tweet about the British government's asylum policy, sparking a row over BBC presenters expressing their own political views on social media.

The likes of Shearer and Ian Wright refused to appear on the show in solidarity, meaning it was reduced to a 20-minute highlights package and Lineker was reinstated a week later. The former Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham striker retired in 1994 and began working as a BBC Radio Five Live presenter, as well as working on Grandstand. He took over from Des Lynam as Match of the Day host in 1999.

The on-screen icon's notable highlights throughout the years include cup finals, presenting the show in his underpants after Leicester won the league in 2016, relentless 'dad jokes' and unique rapport with his colleagues.