The thing is that the BBC know very well the value of expert footballing opinion outside of the ex-pro circle. The jewel in 5Live's footballing crown is Vickery and the other guests on the World Football Phone in, hidden away on Up All Night. But they also know that your white van man type feels more comfortable hearing from good old ex-pros, which is why we end up with Murphy, Savage and Co on the main shows.
The best ex-pro pundit on the Beeb by an absolute mile is Lineker, and he's sat there doing nowt but asking Martin Keown to dribble on the microphone.