Revealed: The favourites to take Lineker's job as MOTD host

The favourites to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host have been revealed after MailOnline broke the story that BBC bosses are plotting his exit. 

Fresh doubts emerged over his future as presenter after MailOnline saw an email which appeared to suggestchiefs are writing up a statement about his departure.

The message purports to be from the broadcaster’s director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, and features a statement announcing the former England striker’s departure after 25 years presenting the iconic show. 

It has not been possible to verify the authenticity of the email and the BBC insists that he remains contracted until the end of the season with 'nothing to announce'.

If he does go, the favourites are already lined up with William Hill - and there are no surprises for guessing who.

Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan lead the race with odds of 5/2 to take up the mantle while Micah Richards comes in third on 4/1.

Football Focus host Alex Scott is at 5/1, Dion Dublin 6/1, and Clare Balding 7/1. 

Down the list there are mentions for Jason Mohammad, Colin Murray, Eni Aluko, Alan Shearer, Kelly Cates, and Eilidh Barbour.

Considering that Mark Chapman hosts Match of the Day 2, and that he and Logan anchor the BBC's new Champions League highlights show, it is little surprise to see their names in the running.

Approached by a MailOnline reporter outside his home in south-west London, Lineker had the following directive: 'F*** off, I won't talk to you. Go away.'

The email seen by MailOnline includes comment from BBC director-general Tim Davie, who hails an ‘incredible’ stint and described Lineker as a ‘world class presenter’.

However, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘We have nothing to announce and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is under contract until the end of the season.’

A representative for Lineker has been contacted for comment.

Reports in late September suggested Lineker would hold talks with the BBC this month over a multi-year deal after volunteering to take a pay cut. 

It was suggested he would stay on at MOTD for £1m a year — £350,000 less than his current salary.

A source was quoted by the Sun as saying: 'Gary is hugely popular with both fans and players alike. The sense is that, with so much uncertainty and scandal at the BBC, right now viewers are crying out for a safe pair of hands.

'Gary adores the BBC, and loves his job, and recognises what an honour it is to host television's flagship football show, as well as international games.

'Gary has long maintained that the BBC provides excellent value for money - and has quite literally put his money where his mouth is and offered to take a substantial pay cut.'

Lineker first began his punditry with the BBC at 5 Live and Grandstand before taking over as host of Match of the Day in 1999.

He has also presented Sports Personality of the Year, London 2012 and Golf for the corporation.

Only a few weeks ago, Lineker suggested he would have 'another year, at least' at the helm of the BBC's long-running football show, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in August.

He opened up about his future when asked how long he would keep presenting, and replied: 'I don't know... it depends how long they want me, I suppose.' 

Interviewed by BBC Breakfast's John Watson in August, he said: 'I mean, I love doing it at the moment (and) I've got another year doing it, at least.

'We'll have to wait and see what happens. It's an ever-changing feast, football, and television and football, and rights for the Premier League and stuff like that so all of these things will play a part.

'But I just feel that it's been a privilege to present it for 25 years now. I must be getting old.'