‘What is happening here?’ – Former MOTD star sends major warning to BBC over pundits

MATCH OF THE DAY could end up being cancelled like Football Focus, warns former pundit Mark Lawrenson.

The BBC’s iconic football highlights show has undergone plenty of change in recent years.

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Most notably, stalwart presenter Gary Lineker left at the end of the 2024-25 season, with Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan stepping in.

And while Chapman, Cates and Logan have been popular with viewers, Lawrenson reckons that the BBC could lose its star pundits if it’s not careful.

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Penning a column for the Telegraph, Lawro wrote: “For as long as they have pundits of Alan Shearer’s stature, the BBC’s football coverage is in safe hands.

“My worry is that there are now so many vehicles out there for the most insightful pundits – especially with the growth of podcasts such as Gary’s – why would anyone feel an obligation to stay if they are worried about the direction of Match of the Day?

“There may come a point when questions such as ‘what is happening here?’ will be asked, and other offers will feel more attractive.

“How long before they say, ‘get me out of here?’ It looks like it is already happening.”

Since leaving the BBC, Lineker has focused on the growth of his The Rest is Football podcast.

The programme, on which he is joined by Shearer and Micah Richards, agreed a £14million deal to be shown on Netflix during the World Cup, with the streamer renewing for the upcoming Premier League season.

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Lawrenson, 69, went to claim that the demise of Football Focus, which was cancelled earlier this year, could prompt Beeb pundits to look elsewhere.

The former Liverpool star stopped being an MOTD regular at the end of the 2012-13 season, and left Football Focus in 2022.

Lawro went on to accuse the BBC of focusing “too much attention” on saving money – before claiming that they should have “cherished” Lineker.

While Lineker, Shearer and Richards covered the World Cup from New York, the BBC decided to present their coverage from Salford.

Lawrenson called the decision “nuts” – while adding that it sent a “bad signal” to staff.

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Earlier this week, SunSport revealed that star Match of the Day pundits could be eyeing an exit.

Director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski has clashed with a number of the team since his appointment.

A source said: “There are very few happy campers on MOTD any more. It all comes down to Kay-Jelski, who is bringing in a number of changes. To some he’s a tough grafter, an old school journalist, and is respected. But others just can’t work like that.”

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A second source added: “BBC bosses thought steadying the ship after Lineker left would be their toughest task and, for a while, there was lots of back-slapping about pulling off a seamless revival.

“For the most part, the audience and the show’s guests are more than happy with the trio at the top.

“The problem is with Kay-Jelski and the panellists and there have been a number of clashes.

“Workplace disagreements are par for the course — especially when there are few other places ex-players can find punditry work.

“But this year that’s all changed and now the grass is looking a hell of a lot greener elsewhere…”

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Match of the Day is set to return for the new season this Saturday.