BBC presenter Manish Bhasin has spoken out on the prospect of succeeding Gary Lineker on Match of the Day, after several fans called for him to step in as host.

Lineker, who is stepping down after almost 26 years at the helm of BBC’s flagship football show, will begin his long farewell to the programme this weekend after the Beeb opted to appoint a new presenter from the start of next season.

Fans have keenly speculated who should succeed Lineker in the Match of the Day chair, with Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates all in the frame.

Several supporters took to social media this week to endorse Bhasin for the role. 

Bhasin, 48, is a sports presenter best known for hosting BBC’s The Football League Show, which — much like Match of the Day — showed highlights from across the Championship, League One and League Two.

Prior to his involvement on the highlights show, Bhasin hosted Football Focus and has worked on Matchday Live for Premier League Productions since 2016.

BBC presenter Manish Bhasin has spoken out on the prospect of hosting Match of the Day

The search for Gary Lineker’s successor began last week after the BBC announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season from their flagship football show after almost 26 years 

Some fans are calling for Bhasin to replace Lineker after his work on The Football League Show

The programme, which immediately followed Match of the Day, moved from the BBC to Channel 5 at the end of the 2015-16 season.

‘Your time has finally come,’ one fan posted on X alongside a picture of Bhasin hosting The Football League Show. 

‘The people’s champion,’ another added, replying to the post.

A third commented: ‘This is actually it, this is the only guy for the show.’

Although Bhasin is not currently on the Beeb’s books, he does have experience hosting Match of the Day 2 and currently works on Premier League football, so could present an alternative candidate for the BBC. 

In response to the comments, Bhasin appeared to suggest that the Match of the Day gig is nothing but a pipe dream, replying: ‘I wish! Thanks for the kind comments though.’

According to a poll carried out by market research company Ipsos this week, fans would like to see recurring Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer take the reins on the show.

When those surveyed were asked to vote on who they would like to see succeed Lineker, 22 per cent chose the Newcastle and Blackburn legend. 

One labelled Bhasin ‘the people’s champion’ while another said he’s the ‘only guy for the show’

Mark Chapman, who hosts Match of the Day 2, is one of the favourites to succeed Lineker

It appears Bhasin doesn’t feel he’s in with a shot for the presenting role, as he replied: ‘I wish!’

Chapman, who hosts the highlights show’s sister programme Match of the Day 2, was a close second-favourite to succeed Lineker among fans, with 20 per cent.

Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC’s director of sport, is believed to be keen on taking the show down a different direction and hopes a new presenter can attract a younger audience to the programme.

Several female presenters are thus in the frame to replace Lineker, with Logan, Scott, Cates and Kelly Somers all touted as contenders.

Scott came third in the Ipsos poll rankings with 12 per cent of votes, while Logan is fourth with 10 per cent.