Kelly Cates Prefers to Chart Her Own Path Ahead of Match of the Day Debut

Kelly Cates, the new host of Match of the Day, has made it clear she does not aspire to emulate her predecessor, Gary Lineker. As she prepares to take over the role at the start of the upcoming Premier League season, Cates emphasized her intention to forge her own style and avoid comparisons.

She confirmed that she has not contacted Lineker, nor has he reached out to her, simply because they do not know each other well. Cates explained, “We just don’t know each other,” and added that she respects Lineker’s work, acknowledging his status and the affection he received in the role over 26 years. She stated, “The reason not to try and imitate him is because I want to be myself.”

In addition to her new duties, Cates intends not to use her platform for political or social commentary, unlike Lineker, who often voiced his opinions on various social issues on social media. Cates shared she has never used her social media for such discussions and doesn’t see herself changing that approach, believing some topics are better left to experts.

She also noted her limited familiarity with Lineker beyond a simple greeting and mentioned that she hasn’t sought advice from him about hosting. Instead, her focus is on establishing her own style and presenting authentically.

This season’s presenting team will be a trio, with Mark Chapman leading on the first show, following Lineker’s departure. Cates will continue her role at Sky Sports as a regular host for Super Sunday, covering a record 215 matches in the 2025-26 season.

As she steps into this prominent role, Cates aims to bring her own voice to the program, focusing on broadcasting rather than imitation, and emphasizing her independence from social media controversies and political debates.