SIMON JORDAN: If the BBC pick Gary Lineker replacement based on diversity, inclusion and rainbow flags then I fear for Match of the Day’s future – here are the outside candidates I would choose

Gary Lineker is a smart man. He has a lot more to do to ensure he will do well without Match of the Day. But will the BBC’s football show survive without him as presenter?

I think so, as long as they choose a replacement based on merit rather than making diversity and inclusion the main criteria.

I certainly don’t want my iconic Saturday Football Highlights show to be littered with social posts and a group of must-haves instead of must-haves, otherwise it will quickly follow that formerly entertaining show Football Focus down the ratings drain.

For Lineker’s successor, all I’m saying is you get the best in class. Don’t allow a situation where a 24-year-old producer decides that the next generation of presenters should have an opinion about rainbow flags.

So who’s next on the hot seat? We know it won’t be Jermaine Jenas to begin with. And Mark Chapman is lucky I’m not on the jury because I haven’t forgotten him when he pulled down tools last year when the BBC had a problem with Lineker and it wasn’t really his business.

Mark Chapman has regularly presented the show’s Sunday program Match of the Day 2, while Kelly Somers is another contender to take over Lineker’s hosting duties.

The list of bookmakers’ favorites to replace Lineker, including Alex Scott, is hardly inspiring

Match of the Day is not a program that you actually watch for the presenter. You tune in to see the highlights of all the big matches.

But that doesn’t mean the identity of the frontman doesn’t matter. While it’s not particularly difficult to read a teleprompter, that’s a problem if you have a horrible person who lacks charisma.

It depends on what the BBC wants the show to be. If they want it to have lasting gravitas and a professional in charge, who can manage the opinions of others rather than shout their own, then my co-presenter at talkSPORT Jim White is ideal.

To those who scream nepotism, I don’t care. He is very, very good at what he does and although he is not yet in his prime, he exudes more energy and dynamism than broadcasters half his age. I’ve whipped it into shape so it’s better than ever!

On the other hand, if the BBC is desperate to reflect a new media age on Match of the Day and wants one personality to dominate, Piers Morgan can do as he pleases. He thinks he knows football. The only question is whether they can afford him.

Match of the Day is an iconic program. One of the reasons why the Premier League took off was because, in addition to the live element on Sky Sports, it also had a physical outlet for its products.

It has not lost its place in the scheme. It’s still a very good show. Whoever gets it, I hope the baton is passed again as successfully as it was between Messrs Hill, Lynam and Lineker.

The list of bookmakers’ favorites, headed by Chapman and Alex Scott, is hardly inspiring. Maybe the BBC should look outside.