Former England star makes stance clear with presenter set to take Match of the Day job

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Former England star Rob Green has lavished praise on Kelly Cates amid suggestions she will be one of three replacements for Gary Lineker on Match of the Day from next season.

It was announced last month that Lineker, who has helmed the programme since 1999, will be departing his position at the end of the season.


And then, on Sunday, it was widely reported that Cates would be one of three presenters on Match of the Day next season.

The broadcaster, who is the daughter of Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, will share the role with Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman.

Kelly Cates

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Green, speaking to the Daily Mail, says Cates is somebody who possesses ‘warmth’.

And the former England, Norwich and West Ham star also insists that her new gig is ‘fantastic news’, too.

“It is her real, genuine warmth,” said Green, who has worked with Cates for on Radio 5 Live in the past.

“When you meet her, she’s exactly as you would see her on TV.

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“The first time I worked with her was for a Liverpool game in the Champions League, we were together up at the studios in Salford. She made it feel so comfortable for me that I almost forgot I was on air.

“I think she is someone who will appeal to all types of viewers and she’s genuinely respected by pretty much everyone that will want to watch football on television. I’m absolutely thrilled for her, it’s fantastic news.

“She knows what questions to ask, when to ask them and how to ask them: it might sound a simple thing to say but it really isn’t.

“She asks the questions but she’s listening to you intently for that little nugget that she will drag that bit more detail from you. She’ll have a sparring match if she needs to!

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“That’s important with Match of the Day: you only get a few minutes to talk about games and the moments within them.

“She’s the type of host who will maximise that window to extrapolate that little bit more. It’s a tremendous skill to make it look as easy as she does.

“During the World Cup (in Qatar), she met my wife and kids. My wife walked away and said: ‘Oh, she’s lovely. You can see why you want to work with these people.’

“That one conversation is reflective how Kelly is.”

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Kelly Cates Rob Green

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Neither Sky or the BBC are yet to officially confirm Cates’ next career move.

Yet it seems as though a formal announcement will follow in due course, with a deal all but done.

As for Lineker, the 64-year-old will keep presenting Match of the Day before leaving at the end of the season.

He will continue to work with the Beeb until the 2026 World Cup, which they have acquired the rights to.

Gary Lineker

Kelly Cates: Presenter will be one of three replacements for Gary Lineker on Match of the Day from next season

PA

Lineker last month said that it had been a ‘privelege’ to host Match of the Day for as long as he has done.

He has been linked with a move to ITV, though it’s currently unclear where he’ll end up.

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