Next Match Of The Day Pundit Odds: Could Rooney Be Joined By Keane And Neville?
It's not just Premier League teams who are looking to strengthen their squads this summer - football highlights show Match of the Day is also in the market for new recruits.
Match of the Day will have a new look when the season kicks off in August, with Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan set to share presenting duties following Gary Lineker’s departure after 26 years at the helm.
Several stars had been linked to Lineker's job on the best betting sites, but the triple threat will begin a new Match of the Day era next month.
Whoever hosts the season opener might have ex-England star Wayne Rooney for company in the studio.
The former Manchester United star has reportedly signed a two-year deal worth £800,000 to become a regular pundit on the BBC One show.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Wayne is a natural broadcaster; he is warm, witty and forensically knowledgeable about all aspects of the game.
"He still has a deep love for football and also gets on well with everyone on both sides of the camera.
"He is eminently likeable, and has impressed on his outings to date - viewers have also really taken to him which has been clear from social media commentary."
BBC Sport's Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski is said to be "incredibly excited" about Rooney signing up for the show, too.
This has led to speculation about who else might join the new-look Match of the Day squad this season.
Next Match Of The Day Pundit Odds
Presenter | Odds | Probability |
Roy Keane | 11/8 | 42.1% |
Gary Neville | 6/4 | 40% |
Jill Scott | 15/8 | 34.8% |
Andros Townsend | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Harry Redknapp | 5/2 | 28.6% |
Rio Ferdinand | 3/1 | 25% |
Mary Earps | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Paul Merson | 4/1 | 20% |
Peter Schmeichel | 9/2 | 18.2% |
Lee Hendrie | 5/1 | 16.7% |
David Ornstein | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Tyson Fury | 13/2 | 13.3% |
James Corden | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Fabrizio Romano | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Ian Wright | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Can I Tempt Roo?
Rooney might be able to tempt some of his former United teammates to jump ship and join him over at BBC HQ.
Roy Keane works as a pundit for Sky Sports and ITV, but he is just 11/8 on betting apps to follow in Rooney's footsteps and sign up for the Match of the Day renaissance.
Gary Neville (6/4) has a good thing going over at Sky Sports as a pundit and commentator, but if he hears even better things from his pal Wazza then the BBC could come calling.
While both Keane and Neville might demand sky-high fees, if the reported £800,000 spend on Rooney is anything to go by, the BBC still clearly count Match of the Day as a top priority.
Rio Ferdinand - another former United star might also be interested. He is currently a free agent pundit-wise and is just 3/1 to join the iconic show next.
Ferdinand left TNT Sports at the end of last season, after a decade with the broadcaster.
While Rio is keen to spend more time with his family and focus on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel - which boasts an impressive 1.3 million followers.
It wouldn't be a huge surprise if the experienced pundit was to join MOTD.
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Scott To Sign Up?
Former England Lioness Jill Scott regularly appears alongside Keane and Neville on the Stick to Football podcast.
If either were to join Match of the Day they could put in a good word for her.
Former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner Scott is just 15/8 to join the show this season, and follow in the footsteps of her former teammates and BBC Sport stars Alex Scott, Steph Houghton and Fara Williams.
Jill knows Rooney from this year's Soccer Aid and the Stick to Football podcast, on which she is also a guest alongside former Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright, who is a 10/1 outsider to return to the show.
The introduction of Cates and Logan to the Match of the Day presenting team may lead to more female pundits joining the show.
Another who has a big media personality and is clearly well liked by BBC viewers is 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Mary Earps, who is a 7/2 chance to join MOTD.
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
MOTD Fury
A piece in The Times previously claimed that Kay-Jelski might be keen to take Match of the Day in a "different direction", if the BBC media editor Katie Razzall is right.
That could mean appointing new pundits who haven't ever played the beautiful game professionally.
As a result, Rooney's Soccer Aid co-star Tyson Fury - who managed England during this year's charity match - is a 13/2 outsider to land a punditry role on the football highlights show.
The heavyweight boxer is a big Manchester United fan, and he wouldn't pull any punches when giving his verdict on the Red Devils.
Gavin & Stacey star James Corden - who supports West Ham - could be another celebrity pundit on the programme.
He is a 7/1 longshot to join Match of the Day next, but show bosses may even go down the football journalist route.
If so, The Athletic football correspondent and former BBC sports journalist David Ornstein could be a shrewd choice at 6/1.
He was mentioned in The Times as "very much a left-field option" to be Lineker's successor.
Or how about transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who is 8/1. Here we go! … into Match of the Day's new era.
