Gabby Logan (L), Mark Chapman (C), and Kelly Cates (R) pose for their official MOTD photo

Match of the Day’s trio of new anchors presented a united front as they posed for their first official photograph together ahead of the show’s relaunch. 

Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Kelly Cates will share the load of presenting the much-loved show, which returns on Saturday.

Gary Lineker bade an emotional farewell to MOTD in May after fronting the BBC staple for 26 years.

The England legend had become embroiled in an anti-Semitism row over an Instagram video he had shared, for which he later apologised.

Chapman, Logan, and Cates were confirmed as his successors in January, by which time we already knew Lineker was leaving.

And the triumvirate dressed up chic for their photoshoot ahead of the show’s return.

Gabby Logan (L), Mark Chapman (C), and Kelly Cates (R) pose for their official MOTD photo

Gabby Logan (L), Mark Chapman (C), and Kelly Cates (R) pose for their official MOTD photo

The trio are taking over from Gary Lineker after his 26-year reign as the show's main presenter

The trio are taking over from Gary Lineker after his 26-year reign as the show’s main presenter 

Lineker bade an emotional farewell to Match of the Day in March after an anti-Semitism row

Lineker bade an emotional farewell to Match of the Day in March after an anti-Semitism row

Chapman donned a grey, long-sleeved zip-up jacket with a stand collar, a plain white shirt, and dark trousers.

Logan went for a navy blue dress with a V-neckline and what looks like a silk or satin fabric. 

Meanwhile, Cates wore a slate blue blazer matching with her pants. In one photo, she is holding a vintage-style leather football in a nod to the game’s rich heritage. 

Chapman will be in the hot seat for the first edition of the new series on Saturday, having the honour of kicking off a new and unfamiliar era. 

It is understood that Cates is presenting a UEFA Super Cup highlihgts show on Wednesday while Logan will get the nod for Sunday evening. 

According to The Telegraph, Chapman – who has been a regular on the BBC for a number of years, usually anchoring Match of the Day 2 coverage on a Sunday – will be joined by the returning Alan Shearer and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney.

Rooney has been out of management since leaving Plymouth Argyle by mutual consent on New Year’s Eve after a challenging seven-month spell in charge. It was his fourth managerial role in as many years, following stints with Derby Count , DC United and Birmingham City.

The 39-year-old has made no secret of his enjoyment of punditry since stepping back from coaching, appearing on Amazon Prime Video for Champions League coverage and joining the BBC as a guest on Match of the Day.

Chapman allows himself a cheeky smile as he prepares to host the first show of the season

Chapman allows himself a cheeky smile as he prepares to host the first show of the season

Logan will be in the chair for the second show of the campaign on Sunday evening

Logan will be in the chair for the second show of the campaign on Sunday evening 

Bring back the good old days! Cates poses with a vintage leather ball in a tribute to the past

Bring back the good old days! Cates poses with a vintage leather ball in a tribute to the past

He will will earn £800,000 over two years with the BBC.

The tidy sum would make him among the highest earners at the organisation, with the BBC’s latest annual report showing only seven people earned more than £400,000 a year.

They included Shearer, who was third on the list after taking home an estimated £440,000.

However, their earnings are dwarfed by what Lineker was on: around £1.35million per year. 

Additionally, the recent report claims that Match of the Day’s sister programme on Sunday will drop the ‘2’ from its title, with the first edition of the rebranded show set to be aired this weekend.

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