Gary Lineker to Conclude Role as Match of the Day Host for BBC

Broadcaster Gary Lineker is scheduled to step down as the presenter of the prominent football program Match of the Day at the close of the current season, as understood by BBC News. His departure is anticipated to be officially announced by the BBC on Tuesday. The Sun, which initially reported the story, also indicated that the presenter would leave the BBC after leading coverage of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Greg Dyke, a former BBC director general, informed BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Lineker was “the outstanding sports presenter of his time,” but also stated: “Life moves on, presenters don’t stay forever.” Lineker’s representative has been contacted for comment. The BBC press office declined to provide a statement. Lineker, whose contract was nearing its end, commenced negotiations with the BBC’s new head of sport in October. BBC News understands that Lineker was open to continuing his role on Match of the Day, but the BBC did not offer him a new contract specifically for the show. However, it is understood that both parties are now satisfied with the new agreement. The 63-year-old has hosted Match of the Day since 1999. He will have held the position for 26 years when he departs at the end of the Premier League season in May 2025. Dyke was director general when Lineker first began presenting the football program in 1999, and described losing the presenter as “a big loss,” but added that “in the end people watch Match of the Day for the football.” Lineker conveyed to Esquire magazine in an interview published earlier this month that he accepted he will “have to slow down at some point.” Earlier in the year, the presenter made a jest about speculation concerning his potential exit from the BBC. He initiated a Match of the Day broadcast by stating it was his “final show,” then, after a pause, added “before the international break.” Dyke also mentioned that the BBC is “in difficulties financially,” referring to recent job cuts being implemented as part of broader BBC efforts to save £700m annually, adding that Lineker’s departure “would be a saving on a sports budget, which you could use elsewhere.” He did not speculate on whether Lineker had been “offered a new contract or not,” or whether the recent controversy surrounding the presenter’s social media use was linked to his exit. “Whether this is anything to do with that I don’t know. It’s one of the few times I’ve disagreed with the BBC since I left.” He continued, “I thought that he was a sports presenter, and therefore what he was saying about politics was irrelevant to his performance as as a presenter. “But it’s there in the background. So it must have been a thought in the mind of of whoever took the decision.” Lineker is recognized as one of the corporation’s most prominent presenters and, among those whose salaries are disclosed, its highest-paid star, earning over £1.3m annually. He has also presented the BBC’s coverage of major tournaments such as World Cups and European Championships, as well as BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremonies. During his tenure at the BBC, Lineker has also worked for other sports networks, including the US network NBC and BT Sport (now TNT Sport). He has also expanded into podcasts, co-founding the production company Goalhanger, which produces popular shows including The Rest is History, The Rest is Politics, and The Rest is Entertainment. Alastair Campbell, who co-presents The Rest Is Politics podcast, stated that Lineker would be “a very hard act to follow,” as reported by Sky News. Campbell remarked, “He is an excellent broadcaster and a very good guy.” Lineker’s new contract has now been finalized, and he is set to depart on a high note following the biggest tournament in world football. However, replacing a star presenter on a high-profile show always carries a risk. Some fans have suggested that Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman should assume the role, but other football presenters, including Gabby Logan and Alex Scott, are also on fans’ lists as potential successors. Lineker was briefly suspended by executives last year following an outcry over his social media post concerning the UK’s asylum policy. The incident led to a review of BBC social media guidelines, which concluded that high-profile presenters should be permitted to express views on issues and policies but refrain from political campaigning. Lineker described the new rules at the time as “all very sensible.” Before becoming a TV presenter, Lineker had a highly successful career as a striker for England, as well as for Leicester, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Barcelona. Additional reporting by Steven McIntosh, entertainment reporter. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.