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Gary Lineker heaped praise on the revamped 'Match of the Day' following its Saturday return, the first episode since his departure from the show.
Mark Chapman stepped into the presenter's chair, though aside from this change, the format remained largely unchanged from its traditional setup. The BBC announced Chapman alongside Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan as Lineker's successors back in January, with the veteran host eventually parting ways with the corporation after becoming embroiled in an antisemitism controversy.
Alex Kay-Jelski, appointed as the broadcaster's director of sport last April, had suggested potential modifications to the show following Lineker's exit. Nevertheless, Lineker, 64, expressed satisfaction that minimal alterations had been implemented as the new chapter began, praising his former superior for resisting unnecessary changes to a winning formula.
During an appearance on 'The Rest Is Football' podcast with former BBC colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker revealed his thoughts on witnessing the programme he fronted for 26 years make its comeback.
"Alan, you were doing 'Match of the Day' last night. I must say, I enjoyed it," he confessed.
"I went out for dinner, then I came home in time to watch it.
"Thought it was really good. Chappers did a great job. There was a lot of talk, wasn't there, that they were going to change things, and you know what it's like, you get a new guy in, new head of sport, thinking he wants to do this and wants to do that.
"But, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' I think that was very much the most sensible decision, and I thought the programme was great."
Chapman was accompanied by seasoned pundit Shearer and fresh face Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United legend, for Saturday's opening show of the new Premier League campaign, with Lineker giving his seal of approval to the latter's contribution.
"I thought Wayne Rooney did really well, as well as yourself, Alan, so good analysis in there," Lineker stated. "It was so nice watching it, holding a glass of wine!"
After succeeding Des Lynam in 1999, 'Match of the Day' had become virtually inseparable from Lineker's presence, yet the former England forward insisted it felt perfectly natural viewing from his sofa.
"It wasn't weird, really, no. I was quite relaxed," he continued. "I was thinking, 'I haven't got a three-and-a-half-hour journey at the end of the show.'
"I really enjoyed watching it. It is the first time that I have watched Match of the Day on a Saturday night for I don't know how many years.
"The only time I ever missed the show was if I'd take the odd Saturday off to have a holiday, and I'd go somewhere, so it had been so long since I'd watched it."
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