Gary Lineker will step down as the host of the BBC’s iconic Premier League highlights show Match of the Day after 25 years at the helm, with the corporation officially confirming his exit on Tuesday morning.
The former Tottenham, Everton, Leicester and Barcelona striker – who also won 80 England caps – has been the leading face on the highlights show since 1999 but will walk away at the end of the season. The BBC announced the news in a press release that also confirmed he will host coverage of the FA Cup for the 2025-26 season and will front the World Cup in the summer of 2026, at which point he is expected to leave the coprporation entirely.
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said: “Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup. After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week. He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football.”
Lineker has often courted controversy, with his declared annual salary of £1.3m making him the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, and he was briefly suspended in 2023 after airing political views critical of the Conservative government on social media.
Speculation is now hotting up as to who will replace the 63-year-old in the MOTD chair with the likes of Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan all thought to be in the running. Follow all the latest updates on Lineker’s departure with our blog below:
Gary Lineker leaves Match of the Day - live updates
- Gary Lineker set to quit Match of the Day after 25 years as host
- Lineker will leave at the end of the season before a full BBC departure after the 2026 World Cup
- The 63-year-old is the BBC’s highest-paid presenter with his exit confirmed on Tuesday
- Lineker’s The Rest is Football podcast to be aired on BBC Sounds as part of new deal
- BBC planning to ‘shake up’ MOTD according to reports
- Speculation hotting up as to who will replace Lineker as MOTD host
- COMMENT: Match of the Day and BBC will miss Gary Lineker’s urbane presence – the feeling is not mutual
Match of the Day and BBC will miss Gary Lineker’s urbane presence – the feeling is not mutual
15:05 , Mike JonesWhen Des Lynam hung up his moustache and walked away from the Match of the Day presenting gig in 1999, BBC bosses were faced with a conundrum. Lynam was popular with viewers and a sporting polymath but had jumped ship for ITV after they doubled his pay. Who could fill his boots on such a shoestring budget?
The answer was Gary Lineker. Described by the BBC, at the time, as having a “relaxed style”, Lineker was already familiar to viewers thanks not only to a stellar on-pitch career, but various presenting jobs across the corporation. He had appeared on Radio 5 Live and Grandstand, as well as a stint as a captain on They Think It’s All Over, a comedy panel show. And as the lights came up on the 1999/2000 Premier League season, he found himself in one of biggest jobs in football media, presiding over the flagship highlights package of a season that featured 23 goals from his future sofa-mate, Alan Shearer.
It was the start of a glittering 25-year tenure in the role – which will conclude next May after the BBC allegedly opted not to renew his contract – that would turn him from a predatory striker to one of the nation’s top broadcasters, and then into a powerful, and often controversial, media mogul.
Match of the Day will miss Gary Lineker’s urbane presence – the feeling is not mutual
Danny Murphy pays tribute to Gary Lineker
14:47 , Mike JonesFormer Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy, who has served as a pundit on Match Of The Day, has been effusive in his praise Gary Lineker after the announcement he will be stepping down.
Murphy told talkSPORT: “I didn’t know. I knew the contract was up at the end of the season. So there’s been a lot of talk about it. I am a little bit surprised.
“Gary’s a friend of mine and he’s been phenomenal to me since the day I walked in the building. And a warm, charismatic, intelligent man who knows his football and has become part of everybody’s furniture, if you like, on a Saturday evening. And I’ll never forget how he treated me and how welcome he made me, how good he made me feel.
“He’s getting on a bit, just because he looks good for his age doesn’t mean he isn’t old. He’s getting tired in his old age, probably wants to just cook his Sunday roast.”
Gary Lineker’s history of controversial tweets as top-earning BBC presenter
14:30 , Mike JonesGary Lineker, the highest-paid presenter at the BBC, has often found himself in the headlines over his views posted on social media platform X.
Here is a round-up of the controversies the 63-year-old has been involved in during his time at the BBC, as the broadcaster is set to confirm his exit:
Gary Lineker’s history of controversial tweets as top-earning BBC presenter
Gary Lineker’s history of controversial tweets as top-earning BBC presenter
14:12 , Ellie IorizzoGary Lineker, the highest-paid presenter at the BBC, has often found himself in the headlines over his views posted on social media platform X.
Here is a round-up of the controversies the 63-year-old has been involved in during his time at the BBC, as the broadcaster is set to confirm his exit:
Qatar World Cup
Before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Lineker led criticism of then-foreign secretary James Cleverly for suggesting LGBT+ football fans be “respectful of the host nation” – where homosexuality is illegal.
“Whatever you do, don’t do anything Gay. Is that the message?” Lineker said in response to the cabinet minister’s comments.
Lineker later opened the BBC’s broadcast coverage of the Qatar World Cup with a critique of the host country’s treatment of migrant workers and record on human rights.
Gary Lineker’s history of controversial tweets as top-earning BBC presenter
13:57 , Ellie IorizzoGary Lineker, the highest-paid presenter at the BBC, has often found himself in the headlines over his views posted on social media platform X.
Here is a round-up of the controversies the 63-year-old has been involved in during his time at the BBC, as the broadcaster is set to confirm his exit:
Conservative Party
In 2018, Lineker was criticised by BBC cricket presenter Jonathan Agnew after he posted a string of tweets criticising the Conservative Party.
Agnew told Lineker that as “the face of BBC Sport”, he should “observe BBC editorial guidelines”.
It came after Lineker tweeted: “Imagine how hopeless you’d have to be to still be behind the Tory party in the polls. The absolute state of our politics.”
In 2022, the BBC found Lineker had breached its impartiality guidelines over comments he had made in February asking then-foreign secretary Liz Truss if her party would “hand back their donations from Russian donors” after the invasion of Ukraine.
Imagine how hopeless you’d have to be to still be behind the Tory party in the polls. The absolute state of our politics.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 12, 2018
Gary Lineker’s history of controversial tweets as top-earning BBC presenter
13:42 , Ellie IorizzoGary Lineker, the highest-paid presenter at the BBC, has often found himself in the headlines over his views posted on social media platform X.
Here is a round-up of the controversies the 63-year-old has been involved in during his time at the BBC, as the broadcaster is set to confirm his exit:
Migrant policy
Lineker has often voiced support for a liberal approach to border controls, and has also expressed support for a second EU referendum.
In March 2023, he compared the language used to launch a government asylum seeker policy to 1930s Germany, describing the scheme as “immeasurably cruel”.
His comments sparked a backlash which saw the BBC remove him from hosting football highlights programme Match Of The Day.
Lineker later returned to the show after the row prompted a number of his fellow pundits, including Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, to boycott it.
The BBC later introduced new social media rules banning flagship presenters from making attacks on political parties.
There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 7, 2023
Gary Lineker to leave Match of the Day at the end of this season – with BBC departure date set
13:30 , Mike JonesGary Lineker will leave Match of the Day at the end of the season, it is widely reported, with a full exit from the BBC set for after the 2026 World Cup around 20 months from now.
The former Tottenham, Everton, Leicester and Barcelona striker has been the leading face on the highlights show since 1999.
While the BBC press office has not yet confirmed the situation, BBC News reported that the wider BBC organisation is expected to officially announce the news on Tuesday.
Lineker joked about his future recently on the programme amid speculation surrounding his contract discussions with the BBC over an extension, while acknowledging his other business interests would mean something needed to give eventually.
Gary Lineker to leave Match of the Day at the end of this season
Was Lineker forced out of Match of the Day?
13:10 , Mike JonesGary Lineker will be leaving Match of the Day at the end of the season after the BBC refused to offer him a new contract says Katie Razzall, the corporation’s culture and media editor.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Razzall revealed: “Lineker was open to staying on at Match of the Day, but the BBC did not offer him a new contract for the show.”
Lineker has agreed a different 18-month contract with the BBC that will see him remain on the broadcaster’s live FA Cup coverage and front the 2026 World Cup.
Gary Lineker became the face of the BBC – but his exit shows everyone is replaceable
12:52 , Mike JonesOnce again, Gary Lineker will reach the end in a major tournament. This time, at least, he will not go out in the group stage or be replaced by Alan Smith. But, 34 years after Graham Taylor made one of the most infamous substitutions in England’s history, curtailing Lineker’s international career when he was one behind Bobby Charlton’s longstanding record for goals, he will bow out of the BBC at the 2026 World Cup.
At a time of momentous global developments, it is front-page news. If that highlights the huge role he has played in the worlds of football and media over the last four decades, it also shows the way Lineker became a lightning rod, his contract and tweets rendering him more controversial off the pitch than on it. Which, in turn, is a sign of strange times.
Gary Lineker became the face of the BBC – but his exit shows everyone is replaceable
Who should replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day? Join The Independent Debate
12:36 , Mike JonesThe football world is eagerly watching as the BBC prepares to find a successor for Gary Lineker, who will step down as Match of the Day host next year, at the end of the Premier League season.
The 63-year-old former Leicester City striker is the corporation’s highest-paid presenter, with his current annual salary estimated to be worth £1.35m.
Lineker, who has been synonymous with the show since 1999, leaves behind big shoes to fill, and rumours are already swirling about who might step in.
Lineker ‘delighted’ to remain with BBC
12:18 , Mike JonesAs part of the press release confirming Gary Lineker’s departure from Match of the Day the 63-year-old spoke about his excitement to remain with the BBC for the FA Cup and 2026 World Cup.
He said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”
Gary Lineker replacement: Latest odds
12:03 , Mike JonesThe bookmakers are already offering odds for the next permanent host of Match of the Day with Mark Chapman the favourite at 5/4 according to Boyle Sports.
Here are the odds for the frontrunners:
Mark Chapman - 5/4
Alex Scott - 5/1
Gabby Logan - 6/1
Kelly Cates - 7/1
Eilidh Barbour - 9/1
Kelly Sommers - 10/1
Jason Mohammad - 10/1
Micah Richards - 10/1
Dan Walker - 12/1
Alan Shearer - 16/1
The Rest is Football to have weekly episodes on BBC Sounds
11:50 , Mike JonesGary Lineker’s podcast The Rest is Football, which he hosts alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, will be airing weekly episodes on BBC Sounds from next month according to the PA News Agency.
The news comes after Lineker was confirmed to be stepping down from his role as the presenter of Match of the Day at the end of the current season.
Learning from Lynam
11:49 , Mike JonesAs a presenter, Lineker sometimes stood in for Des Lynam on the Saturday afternoon sports show Grandstand and by the mid-90s he was appearing on Match of the Day, also hosted by Lynam, as a pundit.
“Des was very helpful - I used to ask a lot of questions about the little things that he did, and picked up some of his nuances,” Lineker said.
“He told me to be brave occasionally with closing lines, and not to be afraid to try to be amusing. Again, the little pay-offs I sometimes make at the end of the show are something that came from him.”
Transition to media
11:36 , Mike Jones“As early as my mid-20s, I knew which direction I wanted to go in when I retired from playing,” Gary Lineker told the BBC in 2014 when speaking about how he made the move into media.
He added: “I would watch the newspaper guys write their opening paragraphs and sit with the radio journalists and talk to them about how they did their job.”
Lineker started out on Radio 5 Live which he described as ‘a learning process’. He later admitted his transition into radio and TV ‘took a lot of work’.
“I managed to stumble my way through it,” he said: “I learned from really good people alongside me who were incredibly helpful in the early days.”
Lineker’s on-field heroics
11:20 , Mike JonesGary Lineker was an immeasurably good footballer and a fine striker. During his playing career he captained England and scored 48 goals in 80 appearances, famously never receiving a red or yellow card.
Lineker was the 1986 World Cup Golden Boot winner, and the top goal-scorer in England three times, each with a different club: Leicester City, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
His ability on the pitch made him a popular figure in the late 80s and early 90s which aided his transition into broadcasting following his retirement in 1994.
Match of the Day and BBC will miss Gary Lineker’s urbane presence – the feeling is not mutual
11:09 , Mike JonesWhen Des Lynam hung up his moustache and walked away from the Match of the Day presenting gig in 1999, BBC bosses were faced with a conundrum. Lynam was popular with viewers and a sporting polymath but had jumped ship for ITV after they doubled his pay. Who could fill his boots on such a shoestring budget?
The answer was Gary Lineker. Described by the BBC, at the time, as having a “relaxed style”, Lineker was already familiar to viewers thanks not only to a stellar on-pitch career, but various presenting jobs across the corporation. He had appeared on Radio 5 Live and Grandstand, as well as a stint as a captain on They Think It’s All Over, a comedy panel show. And as the lights came up on the 1999/2000 Premier League season, he found himself in one of biggest jobs in football media, presiding over the flagship highlights package of a season that featured 23 goals from his future sofa-mate, Alan Shearer.
It was the start of a glittering 25-year tenure in the role – which will conclude next May after the BBC allegedly opted not to renew his contract – that would turn him from a predatory striker to one of the nation’s top broadcasters, and then into a powerful, and often controversial, media mogul.
Match of the Day will miss Gary Lineker’s urbane presence – the feeling is not mutual
The peculiar Premier League trend that hints at drastic change
10:50 , Mike JonesAs Ange Postecoglou came in after another deflating Tottenham Hotspur defeat, both he and fans were evidently furious, but there were some calming voices. It’s just “that kind of season”, as some around the club maintained. This isn’t a figure of speech. It’s a fact. Spurs’s inconsistency has spread to the majority of the Premier League, in a way that has never been seen before.
The gap between third and 13th is only four points. Between third and 11th, it’s a mere three. The table has never been so congested at this stage, across more than half the table and almost a third of the way through the season.
Historically, the closest we’ve seen to this kind of table at this stage are the four points that separated third-placed Chelsea and 11th-placed Fulham in 2002-03, and the five between Spurs and Middlesbrough in 2005-06. From third to 13th, the closest has been the six between Arsenal and Newcastle United in 1998-99.
BBC confirms exit of ‘world-class’ Gary Lineker from Match of the Day
10:39 , Mike JonesGary Lineker will depart Match of the Day at the end of the season after more than 25 years fronting the BBC’s flagship football highlights programme.
Lineker succeeded Des Lynam as the primary host in 1999 having previously featured regularly as a pundit on the show.
With his contract due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, the 63-year-old entered into negotiations over an extension, but BBC bosses have elected to move on.
BBC confirms exit of ‘world-class’ Gary Lineker from Match of the Day
Who will replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host?
10:32 , Mike JonesWith Gary Lineker set to leave his role as Match of the Day presenter at the end of the season, the BBC will soon begin the hunt for his replacement.
Here we take a look at five candidates to replace Lineker:
1) Mark Chapman
‘Chappers’ is the regular presenter of Match of the Day 2, which shows highlights of Premier League action on Sunday evenings.
He is also a key part of the BBC’s coverage of football on radio, presenting Sports Report on 5 Live and the Monday Night Club on the same channel.
BBC planning ‘major shake up’ to Match of the Day
10:27 , Mike JonesNow that it has been confirmed that Gary Lineker will be stepping down thoughts go to the future of Match of the Day and what it will look like.
The obvious answer is a straight replacement comes in for Lineker with plenty of names like Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards being thrown around.
However, The Sun have reported that one option for the BBC is to ‘shake up’ the programme with a series of hosts who rotate on a semi-regular basis.
BBC statement on Lineker’s future
10:22 , Mike JonesThe BBC have announced that Gary Lineker is leaving and staying at the same time. He will depart as Match of the Day host at the end of the current season but remain on to present FA Cup coverage and the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup.
A statement released this morning reads: “The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup. Gary will lead the coverage of the tournament, as England once again try to land a first major trophy since 1966, the other Home Nations look to qualify and Lionel Messi aims to retain the trophy he won with Argentina.
“Gary will also host BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025/26 season, 35 years on from lifting the trophy as a player.
“After a quarter of a century, Gary is stepping down from hosting Match of The Day at the end of this season. He will continue with the MOTD Top Ten podcast and the BBC will also host the hugely popular The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds.”
Who will replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host?
10:21 , Mike JonesWith Gary Lineker set to leave his role as Match of the Day presenter at the end of the season, the BBC will soon begin the hunt for his replacement.
Here we take a look at five candidates to replace Lineker:
2) Alex Scott
Scott enjoyed a successful playing career with Arsenal and England before moving into broadcasting after her retirement in 2017.
She has presented The One Show and has also worked alongside Lineker in the past as a presenter of the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year programme.
She was also a contestant on one of the corporation’s flagship entertainment shows, Strictly Come Dancing, in 2019, while more recently has presented Football Focus.
‘Gary will lead coverage of the next World Cup'
10:20 , Mike JonesGary Lineker is leaving Match of the Day at the end of the current season but he will not be leaving the BBC just yet as he has agreed a contract extension with the broadcaster through to the 2026 World Cup.
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, said: “Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup.
“After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week.
“He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football.”
BBC confirm Gary Lineker exit
10:17 , Mike JonesThe BBC have confirmed that Gary Lineker will be leaving Match of the Day after 25 years as hosts.
The official MOTD X, formerly Twitter, account posted: “The end of an era, after more than 25 years hosting Match of the Day.
“Gary will continue to host the FA Cup and lead the BBC’s 2026 World Cup coverage.”
The end of an era, after more than 25 years hosting Match of the Day.
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 12, 2024
Gary will continue to host the FA Cup and lead the BBC's 2026 World Cup coverage.#MOTD #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/VGU9QIuW80
Who will replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host?
10:09 , Mike JonesWith Gary Lineker set to leave his role as Match of the Day presenter at the end of the season, the BBC will soon begin the hunt for his replacement.
Here we take a look at five candidates to replace Lineker:
3) Gabby Logan
Former gymnast Logan has presented MOTD in Lineker’s absence on many occasions in the past, while she also fronted the BBC’s coverage as the Lionesses stormed to glory in the Women’s Euros in 2023.
She has also been involved in the BBC’s coverage of Six Nations rugby, and the last four summer Olympic Games.
Who will replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host?
09:55 , Mike JonesWith Gary Lineker set to leave his role as Match of the Day presenter at the end of the season, the BBC will soon begin the hunt for his replacement.
Here we take a look at five candidates to replace Lineker:
4) Jason Mohammad
Mohammad first started to work for the BBC in 1997 and remains host of the organisation’s Final Score show on Saturday afternoon.
A regular deputy for Lineker and Chapman on both Match of the Day shows, the Welsh presenter has been among the BBC’s highest earners.
Tell us who should replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day
09:46 , Luke BakerThe football world is eagerly watching as the BBC prepares to find a successor for Gary Lineker, who will step down as Match of the Day host next year, at the end of the Premier League season.
Lineker, who has been synonymous with the show since 1999, leaves behind big shoes to fill, and rumours are already swirling about who might step in.
What do you think? Should the BBC pass the torch to a seasoned veteran or opt for a fresh voice? Share your thoughts HERE — we’ll highlight the best responses as they come in.
Who will replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host?
09:42 , Mike JonesWith Gary Lineker set to leave his role as Match of the Day presenter at the end of the season, the BBC will soon begin the hunt for his replacement.
Here we take a look at five candidates to replace Lineker:
5) Kelly Somers
Somers became the sixth woman to present an edition of Match of the Day in 2020 and has held a variety of roles across the BBC.
A frequent face during matches for England’s men at the 2020 Euros and the World Cup in 2022, Somers has fronted Channel 4’s coverage of the national team over the last two years.
Danny Murphy pays tribute to Gary Lineker
09:22 , Luke BakerFormer Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy, who has served as a pundit on Match Of The Day, has been effusive in his praise Gary Lineker after the announcement he will be stepping down.
Murphy told talkSPORT: “I didn’t know. I knew the contract was up at the end of the season. So there’s been a lot of talk about it. I am a little bit surprised.
“Gary’s a friend of mine and he’s been phenomenal to me since the day I walked in the building. And a warm, charismatic, intelligent man who knows his football and has become part of everybody’s furniture, if you like, on a Saturday evening. And I’ll never forget how he treated me and how welcome he made me, how good he made me feel.
“He’s getting on a bit, just because he looks good for his age doesn’t mean he isn’t old. He’s getting tired in his old age, probably wants to just cook his Sunday roast.”
Match of the Day and BBC will miss Gary Lineker’s urbane presence – the feeling is not mutual
09:02 , Luke BakerWhen Des Lynam hung up his moustache and walked away from the Match of the Day presenting gig in 1999, BBC bosses were faced with a conundrum. Lynam was popular with viewers and a sporting polymath but had jumped ship for ITV after they doubled his pay. Who could fill his boots on such a shoestring budget?
The answer was Gary Lineker. Described by the BBC, at the time, as having a “relaxed style”, Lineker was already familiar to viewers thanks not only to a stellar on-pitch career, but various presenting jobs across the corporation. He had appeared on Radio 5 Live and Grandstand, as well as a stint as a captain on They Think It’s All Over, a comedy panel show.
And as the lights came up on the 1999/2000 Premier League season, he found himself in one of biggest jobs in football media, presiding over the flagship highlights package of a season that featured 23 goals from his future sofa-mate, Alan Shearer. It was the start of a glittering 25-year tenure in the role – which will conclude next May after the BBC allegedly opted not to renew his contract – that would turn him from a predatory striker to one of the nation’s top broadcasters, and then into a powerful, and often controversial, media mogul.
Nick Hilton looks back on the highs and lows of a divisive figure:
Match of the Day will miss Gary Lineker’s urbane presence – the feeling is not mutual
Who will replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host? Runners and riders for flagship job
08:50 , Luke BakerWith Gary Lineker set to leave his role as Match of the Day presenter at the end of the season, the BBC will soon begin the hunt for his replacement.
The likes of Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman are all thought to be in the frame to take the role.
Here we take a look at five candidates to replace Lineker:
Who will replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host? Runners and riders
Gary Lineker to leave Match of the Day at the end of this season – with BBC departure date set
08:43 , Luke BakerGary Lineker will leave Match of the Day at the end of the season, it is widely reported, with a full exit from the BBC set for after the 2026 World Cup around 20 months from now.
The former Tottenham, Everton, Leicester and Barcelona striker has been the leading face on the highlights show since 1999.
While the BBC press office has not yet confirmed the situation, BBC News reported that the wider BBC organisation is expected to officially announce the news on Tuesday.
Lineker joked about his future recently on the programme amid speculation surrounding his contract discussions with the BBC over an extension, while acknowledging his other business interests would mean something needed to give eventually.
Gary Lineker to leave Match of the Day at the end of this season
Gary Lineker to leave Match of the Day
08:43 , Luke BakerGood morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Gary Lineker’s impending departure as Match of the Day host.
It emerged that Lineker would be leaving the role on Monday evenign and we’re expecting an official announcement from the BBC today.
