Jeff Stelling has warned the BBC not to pursue a ‘new demographic’ when selecting Gary Lineker’s successor on Match of the Day.
Former England striker Gary Lineker, 63, is to step down from the BBC’s flagship football program at the end of this season, after 25 years in the job.
He has presented the show since taking over from Des Lynam in 1999.
But while speculation about Lineker’s successor is rampant, another long-time fixture of the English football media has warned the BBC against moving in a certain direction.
Ex-Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling hosted Soccer Saturday for 29 years. Following the announcement of Lineker’s departure from Match of the Day, Stelling has urged the BBC not to go ‘chasing younger audiences’ when naming the next host.
Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC’s director of sport, is rumoured to be keen on targeting younger viewers – something Stelling does not believe will work.
Jeff Stelling Offers Warning To The BBC
While the BBC appears determined to set its sights on a youthful audience, Stelling thinks the broadcaster would be making a mistake.
He argued: “It’s a forlorn pursuit to look for a younger audience that probably aren’t interested in the programme anyway by having younger presenters, influencers, social-media types.
“I’ve never believed that was the way forward. Call me old fashioned, but I’ve always felt the way to attract an audience of any demographic is to make sure you put out a high-quality product.
“If the programme is watched by mums and dads in their forties, make sure it is good enough so that when the new generation reach their forties it is something they want to watch.
“If I’m going to hear somebody talking about a football match, I’d rather it was somebody who had played the game and is able to see things people like me standing on the terraces can’t see than is a big figure on social media.”
Who Does Jeff Stelling Think The BBC Should Hire?
Numerous names have been circling in the MotD host conversation. There is also talk of a rotating cast of hosts as a possible solution.
The likes of Alex Scott, Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates, and Reshmin Chowdhury have all been linked to the job.
But someone who Jeff Stelling believes to be the ‘right man for the job’ is Mark Chapman, who currently hosts Match of the Day 2.
In a glowing endorsement, Jeff Stelling said: “Chappers is the man for the job,
“Great presenter, nice sense of humour, good rapport with the guests, he’s got to be the man, surely.”
Chapman is the current favourite for the job, but there are suggestions he may not been sold about taking on the full-time role.
He also currently works as a host for BBC Radio 5 Live, as well as presenting Carabao Cup coverage for Sky Sports.
