The BBC has officially confirmed that Gary Lineker will conclude his role as presenter of the iconic Match of the Day at the end of the season, marking the end of an era.
An iconic figure in English Football, Lineker has been synonymous with this flagship program for 25 years. The announcement of his departure came Tuesday morning, causing waves in the sports community.
Although he is stepping down from Match of the Day, the former England international, now 63, will continue to play a key role in the BBC’s sports coverage. He is expected to host broadcasts of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, subject to a rights deal being reached, and will remain at the helm of FA Cup coverage until the end of the 2025/26 season after signing an 18-month contract extension.
Additionally, Lineker will maintain his involvement with the MOTD Top Ten podcast while presenting his The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds, ensuring his voice remains an important part of the footballing conversation.
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Sports Notes
Expressing his gratitude, Lineker said: “I am delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank everyone who has made this possible.” This feeling comes after long negotiations over his contract, which was set to expire. Although he was apparently open to the idea of extending his tenure on Match of the Day, BBC News sources indicated that no new contract had been offered by the broadcaster.
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, shared his delight at Lineker continuing his association with the corporation, saying: “We are delighted that he will lead our coverage of the upcoming World Cup and continue to overseeing our FA Cup live broadcasts.” He also expressed his deep gratitude for Lineker’s contributions, saying, “After 25 seasons, Gary is stepping down from Match of the Day. We would like to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues attracting millions of viewers every week he will be greatly missed on the show, but we are delighted that he will remain with the BBC presenting live football.
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Gary Lineker Announces his departure from Match of the Day after 25 unforgettable years
Since taking over from Des Lynam in 1999, Lineker has been a constant presence on Saturday evenings, apart from a brief hiatus when ITV held the rights to broadcast Premier League highlights. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter in British sports broadcasting.
