Sky Sports has been left reeling by the decision of star presenter, Kelly Cates, to join Match of the Day as one of three new hosts. However, they have quickly identified a top candidate for her replacement: Rebecca Lowe. Cates is set to leave Sky and become part of a new-look presenting team on Match of the Day. She will share hosting duties with Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan on this iconic show after Gary Lineker steps down at the end of the season.
Lineker announced his impending exit from the show earlier this year, leaving BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski in search for a suitable replacement. He has settled on three people to fill Lineker's shoes, one being Cates. The 49-year-old will step down from her current role at Sky sometime in the New Year. During her tenure at Sky, she had been an integral part of their Saturday evening primetime game coverage.
According to The Sun, her departure has left Sky bosses 'gutted', prompting them into an immediate search for a worthy successor.
Prime candidate
Sky Sports bosses have picked out Rebecca Lowe as their top choice to replace Cates. Currently serving as star presenter for American channel NBC Premier League coverage, Lowe is no stranger to football broadcasting. Her previous experience includes working as a journalist for BBC and she enjoys high regard among both viewers and executives alike.
It is believed that Lowe would be attracted by the prospect of anchoring football coverage for Sky Sports. Additionally, she shares an excellent working relationship with two other key figures in Sky's sports coverage - Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.
Collaborative ventures
Lowe’s rapport with Neville and Carragher extends beyond professional courtesy; together they launched 'It's Called Soccer' podcast last year where they engage in lively debates on various football topics. This strong professional relationship could be a significant factor in Lowe's potential move to Sky.
The reshuffling was initiated by Lineker, who felt it was the right time for him to move on. His departure marks a new era for Match of the Day, with Cates, Chapman and Logan set to bring fresh perspectives and insights to the show.
While Kelly Cates' departure is a significant loss for Sky Sports, they have acted swiftly in identifying Rebecca Lowe as an ideal replacement. Her experience and rapport with existing Sky Sports experts make her an excellent candidate to take over from Cates.
