The BBC have confirmed the three presenters for their Champions League highlights shows – and Gary Lineker is not one of them.
The Match of the Day presenter is not taking on the gig for their new coverage, which launches tonight, despite the show falling under the same branding as his Saturday night broadcast.
MOTD: UEFA Champions League will air every matchweek Wednesday to review the action, as well as on Thursday for any weeks featuring games then.
Among the pundits and analysts will be Joe Hart, Theo Walcott, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Steph Houghton, Nedum Onuoha, and Steve Warnock.
And the three presenters tasked with leading the coverage will be Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Jason Mohammad.
Gary Lineker has not been chosen for the BBC’s new Champions League highlights shows
Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will be the main two presenters for the new coverage
Jason Mohammad will also be called into action this week to present MOTD: UEFA Champions League
The former two will be consistent presenters with Mohammad getting in on the act this week for the show which will go on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Highlights clip will also be published every relevant Wednesday and Thursday.
The Beeb secured the rights in a three-year deal with UEFA that will return the Champions League to terrestrial channels.
It does not mean they will be broadcasting games live on television – that honour rests with TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Sports Video.
The BBC already have positive tales to tell for English clubs after both Liverpool and Aston Villa got off to winning starts against AC Milan and BSC Young Boys on Tuesday.
Tonight Manchester City host Inter Milan in a repeat of their triumphant 2023 final while Arsenal go to Atalanta tomorrow.
Chapman, who has anchored Match of the Day 2 since 2013, is reportedly the long-term successor to Lineker’s mantle.
According to The Times, Mark Chapman is now the frontrunner to replace Lineker as the new presenter of the iconic programme after Jermaine Jenas was sacked.
Liverpool got off to a winning start as they beat AC Milan 3-1 at the San Siro after a comeback
Aston Villa had plenty to cheer after surpassing BSC Young Boys 3-0 away from home
Jenas was fired in August amid complaints over his ‘workplace conduct’, with more detailed allegations coming to light since.
Alongside his duties presenting Match of the Day, Lineker also fronts his daily podcast The Rest Is Football, produced by the company he founded, Goalhangar Podcasts.