GARY Lineker’s BBC exit is set to spark an intense rivalry between his Match Of The Day successors over who will lead the World Cup coverage.
Insiders saidthat, and will also be competing to take the main presenting job for next year’s Final.
, 63, yesterday confirmed — announcing he was leaving the BBC early .
It scuppered plans for Mark, 51, Gabby, 52, and Kelly, 49, to have supporting roles alongside him at his swansong during next summer’s in the US, and .
A source said: “Now Gary’s gone there has to be a lead anchor for the World Cup coverage.
“Mark, Gabby and Kelly can definitely share the duties between them but it will boil down to who gets the big games.
“For example, who will be taking the lead role on the final — which will be the game they all want to be the leading voice on.
“Mark, Gabby and Kelly are friends but they will be positioning themselves in the coming months because, naturally, it’s a competitive job and who wouldn’t want to be the frontrunner?
“It’s become an inside joke that it’ll be like something out of — with all of them vying to take the lead.”;;
Insiders said the lead presenter for Cup Final coverage next May, a month before the World Cup, is also up for grabs.
The bookies currently have Kelly as the frontrunner with odds of 2/1, while Mark and Gabby are both at 3/1. The three will share normal presenting duties next season.
Our source added: “Mark, Gabby and Kelly are all excellent broadcasters so it’s not going to be an easy decision to make.
“They can do the MOTD job-share fine but when it comes to the prestige of holding up the coverage for those major events, it’s inevitable someone’s nose is going to be put out of joint.”;;
Former striker Lineker is stepping down after Sunday’s MOTD, ending a 26-year career with the BBC.
He sparked fury after sharing an online post criticising , and illustrated with a rat.
Gary repeatedly apologised in a video statement yesterday.
He said: “I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years.
“As I’ve said, I’d never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic — it goes against everything I stand for.
“However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”;;
BBC Director General called him a “defining voice in coverage”;;.
He added: “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.”;;
