Kelly Cates to leave Sky Sports to replace Gary Lineker and become Match of the Day host

A popular Sky Sports presenter is set to jump ship and join the BBC as Match of the Day host.

The BBC has been looking for a new presenter since Gary Lineker confirmed he would leave his role in November.

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But it appears the broadcaster has found a solution, with a trio of presenters split between hosting duties between Match of the Day and Match of Day 2.

As first reported by the Daily Mail, the BBC has poached Kelly Cates from Sky Sports.

Cates will form a trio alongside Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, who already hosts Match of the Day 2.

The daughter of Liverpool icon Sir Kenny Dalglish, Cates previously worked for the BBC as a presenter on Radio 5 Live.

The Daily Mail says Sky is “deeply saddened” to have lost Cates.

Lineker will leave his role as Match of the Day host at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

He will continue to feature on the BBC’s football coverage for a further 18 months before severing all ties with the broadcaster.

Lineker’s contract with the BBC was due to expire at the end of the season, but he signed an 18-month extension to take him through to the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker explained why he felt the time was right to leave his role as Match of the Day host.

“It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but everything must come to an end,” Lineker said.

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“It came at a time when the BBC and Match of the Day have the rights for another three years, the cycle starts from next season, so I felt like if I just did one more year , that would be a bit weird.

He added: “I ended my football career when I felt it was the right time. I think now is the right time.

“I think for the next contract they are looking at doing Match of the Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.”

Lineker took on the role of presenter in 1999 when he replaced Des Lynam, having moved into expertise and presenting following his successful playing career.

Alongside Match of the Day, Lineker has worked on Radio 5 Live, They Think It’s All Over and Grandstand.

Lineker’s contract with the BBC earned him more than £1.3 million a year, making him the channel’s highest-paid talent.

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The 63-year-old was also suspended from hosting the show in 2023 after breaking BBC rules around expressing political views on social media.

He shared his strong opposition to the British government’s policy towards asylum seekers.

Former England internationals Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, who were regulars on the show, announced they would boycott the show in solidarity with Lineker.