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Mark Lawrenson given 'reduced role' on Match of the Day as BBC shake up flagship football programme
Mark Lawrenson has been axed as a Match of the Day regular in a shake-up of the BBC's flagship football programme.

The corporation admitted Lawrenson would have a "reduced role" on the 4 million-rated programme from next season after announcing its plans to breathe new life into the format.

It appeared the 56 year-old had lost his job as a BBC pundit and co-commentator altogether after no mention was made of the former Liverpool defender in a press release announcing its sports line-up across all platforms and programmes for the new season.

But a spokeswoman told Telegraph Sport Lawrenson would definitely appear on Match of the Day, albeit less often.

She also said Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer would continue as mainstays following speculation all three had been facing the chop as a result of criticism of the show's current format.

Lawrenson's name did appear on a separate announcement for Match of the Day 2 and BBC's Radio Five Live football coverage but his omission from the Match of the Day release was an embarrassing oversight and one the corporation quickly rectified when it was pointed out.

The revised version made it clear that Hansen and Shearer remain lead pundits, with Lawrenson's name added to a bumper roster of support acts, including Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Les Ferdinand, Gus Poyet and Gianluca Vialli.

Robbie Savage will also form part of the rotation, while there is a return for Peter Schmeichel more than seven years after he lost his job on Match of the Day after reportedly falling out with bosses over his long-winded style.

Posted By: DrDublin, Aug 1, 15:52:19