Former Match of the Day regular Mark Lawrenson has warned the BBC that its flagship football programme could go the same way as Football Focus if it fails to protect the personalities and expertise that have made it a success.
Lawrenson, who was a Match of the Day pundit for more than two decades, raised concerns over the direction of the programme after the BBC was forced to deny reports of a potential mass exodus of pundits.
BBC announces new season line-up
The broadcaster announced its line-up for the new season this week, with six regular faces — Martin Keown, Dion Dublin, Shay Given, Stephen Warnock, Nedum Onuoha and Theo Walcott — absent from the initial announcement.
The BBC subsequently insisted the claims of widespread discontent were untrue, saying it was looking forward to the return of Match of the Day with its "established line-up" alongside new guest voices.
Lawrenson, however, questioned whether the BBC is doing enough to retain the leading personalities who give the programme its authority.
Lawrenson's warning in The Telegraph
Writing in The Telegraph, he said: "Match of the Day is one of the BBC's crown jewels and a show I am proud to have been a part of, but without the care it deserves it will go the same way as Football Focus."
He praised current presenters Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, but said the BBC needed to ensure it continued to have pundits of the calibre of Alan Shearer.
"For as long as they have pundits of Alan Shearer's stature, the BBC's football coverage is in safe hands," Lawrenson wrote.
"My worry is that there are now so many vehicles out there for the most insightful pundits – especially with the growth of podcasts such as Gary's – why would anyone feel an obligation to stay if they are worried about the direction of Match of the Day?"
Concerns over BBC's World Cup coverage
Lawrenson also questioned the BBC's approach to last summer's World Cup, taking particular aim at its decision to base much of its presenting team in Salford rather than sending them to the United States. He described the decision as "nuts", given the scale of the tournament.
"I could not believe the BBC's approach to the World Cup, with the presenting team based in Salford for the majority of the tournament while Gary and his two former BBC colleagues – Alan and Micah Richards – were in the US," he wrote.
"I know care has to be taken with budgets, but it's the World Cup for God's sake. That was nuts and it sends out a bad signal about priorities."
Lawrenson argued that the World Cup was an event where the BBC should have been prepared to spend more to give its coverage the best possible feel. "The biggest tournament only comes around once every four years," he said. "As one of the main broadcasters, surely you have to do what it takes to get your main presenting team out there?"
Cost-cutting could damage quality
The former Liverpool defender also claimed the cost-cutting approach had placed pressure on the wider production operation, with commentators and behind-the-scenes staff moving around to cover the tournament. He believes the same philosophy could ultimately damage Match of the Day if cost-cutting becomes more important than maintaining its quality.
"When too much attention focuses on saving money rather than preserving what has made the show the success it has been for over 60 years, the quality will suffer," Lawrenson said.
"If you are accustomed to working on a high-quality show and someone comes in to say, 'we can't afford to do it this way any more', and their idea to evolve basically comes down to doing it cheaper, you are not going to be happy with the situation."
The BBC has insisted Match of the Day remains in safe hands, with Shearer and Richards continuing their work on the programme despite their commitments alongside Lineker. Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Ellen White, Steph Houghton, Danny Murphy and Wales international Ashley Williams are also among those involved in the new-season coverage, while Ashley Young, Robbie Keane, Toby Alderweireld and Brentford boss Thomas Frank have been added to the wider line-up.
But Lawrenson urged the BBC not to lose sight of what makes the programme special. "The BBC has dropped the ball too often recently," he wrote. "Let us hope Match of the Day isn't next to pay the price."
