Former England star named as fans' favourite to take over Match of the Day with pundit more popular than Gary Lineker

FANS want a former England international to become the next Match of the Day host.

Gary Lineker confirmed earlier this month that he will step down as host of the BBC highlights programme at the end of the season after 25 years in the role.

4 The BBC are yet to confirm who will replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host Credit: BBC

A number of broadcasters have been linked with the role including the likes of Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Kelly Somers.

But a poll carried out from Ipsos of football fans between the ages of 18 and 75 has revealed a left-field name as the viewers' choice for the position.

That individual is Alan Shearer.

A total of 71 per cent have a "favourable" view of him as a pundit, while 22 per cent would like to see him as the next host of Match of the Day.

That is a higher figure than any other candidate - with the next best being Chapman at 20 per cent, followed by Scott at 12 and Logan at ten per cent.

Ian Wright has the next highest pundit favourability percentage at 65 per cent.

Lineker is down in third at 57, narrowly ahead of Roy Keane [56], Gary Neville [55] and Micah Richards [54].

Recent reports have claimed Shearer penned a new deal with the BBC in the wake of Lineker's departure.

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4 Alan Shearer, right, is the fans' favourite to take over from Lineker Credit: Kieran Clarke/BBC

4 Shearer has a 22 per cent approval rating, higher than any other candidate

He also joked he would not sign an extension on Match of the Day if pal Richards was named as Lineker's successor.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football, he said: "That is a f***ing massive concern by the way [Richards hosting Match of the Day].

"I'm not signing my new contract if you're a presenter by the way."

Gabby Logan backed to replace Gary Lineker on Match Of The Day by Lorraine Kelly saying she'd be 'fantastic and amazing'

4 The fans' favourite pundit is also Shearer

Shearer's former England team-mate Paul Gascoigne recently tipped the Newcastle legend to take the Match of the Day job because he "loves a bit of money".

Premier League record scorer Shearer has been a pundit on the BBC show for nearly two decades.

He has also worked for Amazon Prime on their football coverage.

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