KELLY CATES made her first TV appearance since reports emerged that she is leaving Sky Sports to join the BBC and Match of The Day.
The presenter clumsily organized Super Sunday ahead of Crystal Palace's visit to Brighton and the Manchester derby.
Cates was joined by Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Micah Richards from the Etihad studio.
But it has emerged that Cates could soon team up with Richards – also a pundit for the BBC – even more closely amid a MOTD shake-up.
Host Gary Lineker will leave his leading position after 26 years, with Cates one of three names set to replace the English legend.
According to the Daily Mail, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman will share hosting duties on Match of the Day and MOTD2 with Cates.
Both are BBC presenters who have worked on the shows in recent years.
Cates has worked occasionally for the BBC since 2013, for Radio 5 Live.
Between 2013 and 2018 she co-hosted the iconic fan phone-in show 606 with Ian Wright on Sundays.
After joining Sky Sports, her role was reduced, but Cates returned to host the weekday sports show 5 Live Sport, usually on Tuesdays, while also covering the 2022 World Cup.
The daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish became a TV presenter for Sky Sports and worked on several Premier League shows including Friday Night Live.
Sky Sports bosses are reportedly sad to see her go, but she was believed to be the BBC's leading external candidate to take over from icon Lineker.
Lineker started hosting Match of the Day in 1999 and the former Barcelona striker went on to become one of the country's top sports broadcasters.
He will continue to present FA Cup matches next season before retiring from the 2026 World Cup in North America.
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