New favourite lined up to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host after Jermaine Jenas sacked by BBC

THE BBC have lined up a new replacement for Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, it's been claimed.

The former Everton and England hitman, who succeeded Des Lynham, has been at the helm of the MOTD ship for a whopping 25 years.

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But his long-term future with the Beeb remains in doubt following the public backlash to his likening of the former Conservative Government migrant policy to "Germany in the '30s".

Jermaine Jenas was long seen as the successor to the MOTD hot seat but is out of the running after being AXED by the Beeb for his sexting scandal, which SunSport exclusively revealed.

And the Britsh broadcasting powerhouse has reportedly pivoted to a presenter already in their ranks to replace Lineker.

That's according to , who claim Mark Chapman is the new frontrunner to succeed Lineker.

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Chapman, of course, is already well known to footie fans as he presents Match of the Day 2 on Sundays, a role he's had since 2013.

The 50-year-old is also a presenter on Radio 5 Live and recently became the face of the BBC's new Champions League highlights show.

Chapman's new gig is set to get underway next week when Europe's elite club competition kicks off.

And The Times claims Chapman's latest appointment is the reason why he's the favourite to replace Lineker.

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The potential appointment of Chapman as Lineker's eventual replacement doesn't come as a surprise.

Lineker, however, viewed the disgraced Jenas - whose marriage is on the rocks after his inappropriate work-related behaviour - as his eventual successor.

The 63-year-old said last year: "Jermaine Jenas - who is probably drifting more towards my role.

"I think Jermaine is doing it really well as well, doing The One Show."

When asked Micah Richards if he was nervous about Jenas replacing him, he replied: "Nervous?

'"I'm ancient. My time is nearly up."