BBC confirms Gary Lineker will step down as Match Of The Day presenter
The BBC has announced that Gary Lineker will leave his role as the host of Match Of The Day after the current season concludes.
The 63-year-old will keep presenting the FA Cup coverage for the 2025/26 season and will also be hosting the World Cup in 2026, according to the announcement from the broadcaster.
Lineker will keep hosting the MOTD Top Ten podcast, and his other podcast, The Rest Is Football, which includes BBC analysts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, will now be available on BBC Sounds.
The ex-England football player expressed his happiness by stating, "I'm thrilled to keep my ongoing connection with BBC Sport and I appreciate everyone who played a role in making this possible."
Alex Kay-Jelski, the head of BBC Sport, expressed, "Gary is an exceptional presenter, and we are thrilled to have him at the forefront of our coverage for the upcoming World Cup as well as our live broadcasts of the FA Cup."
After 25 seasons, Gary is leaving his role on MOTD. We’d like to express our gratitude for all he has contributed to the program, which consistently draws in millions of viewers each week.
His absence will be greatly felt on the show, but we’re really glad he will continue with the BBC to cover live football.
Analysis: MOTD without Lineker marks the conclusion of a significant chapter – will the upcoming generation recognize him solely as a podcasting sensation?
Lineker is one of the founders of Goalhanger Podcasts, a company that creates well-known programs like The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics, and The Rest Is Entertainment, along with his personal football podcast.
Established in 2014, the company asserts that it is the largest independent podcasting organization in the UK. In September, it reported that its podcasts had been downloaded over 380 million times this year alone.
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In recent years, Lineker has been the top earner at the BBC due to his roles in programs like Match Of The Day and Sports Personality Of The Year, in addition to his coverage of significant events such as the World Cups and European Championships.
As per the latest data from the BBC, he was paid approximately £1.35 million in the 2023-24 financial year.
It's uncertain who will succeed Lineker as the host of Match Of The Day.
Former Tottenham Hotspur player Jermaine Jenas was seen as a likely replacement for him, but he was let go by the BBC in August due to allegations of misconduct.
Lineker had a successful run as a forward, earning 80 appearances for the England national team, before transitioning into a career in broadcasting.
