Gary Lineker says 'it's the right time' to leave Match of the Day

Gary Lineker has spoken about his departure from Match of the Day after more than two decades, describing the job as "an absolute joy and privilege".

But he expressed that it's “the right time” to move on, indicating a desire for "someone else to take the helm" amid the BBC's planned changes.

Lineker, who will continue with the FA Cup in 2025/26 and World Cup in 2026 coverage, explained on his podcast, The Rest Is Football, "It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end."

He added: “It came at a point where really the BBC and Match of the Day, they’ve got the rights for another three years, the cycle starts from next season so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird.”

The revered 63-year-old former England forward added: "I bowed out in my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel this is now the right time.

"I think the next contract they’re looking to do Match of the Day slightly differently, so it think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm."

Meanwhile, Lineker avoided speculating on his replacement, even as speculations rise about Mark Chapman, Alex Scott and Gabby Logan.

"Obviously I don’t know who it’ll be, and I would never tell publicly my preference, I don’t think that’d be the right thing to do – but whoever it is, I would say be yourself."

He added: "I had to fill the ginormous shoes of a certain Des Lynam.

"I would say just be yourself and enjoy it, it’s a wonderful programme to be a part of. It was brilliant before I took over, and it will be brilliant after I leave."

Hosting the show since 1999, Lineker will have been at the helm for over a quarter-century when he leaves in May 2025.

He said: "I look back and it’s been an amazing experience, and I feel incredibly fortunate," he remarked, before confirming that he'll continue watching the show.

Lineker said it was nice to be leaving the show in “really good shape”, describing the viewing figures as “still really competitive on a Saturday night”.

Gary drew parallels between his departure from both his football career and Match of the Day, stating: "I bowed out in my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel this is now the right time.

"It’s the flagship BBC Sports programme, hopefully, it always will be."

Last year's controversy over being suspended from the programme following his comments about Government policy was touched upon with Lineker jovially noting the tumult it caused: "I’ve had a lot of chaos over the last couple of years in many ways," chuckling that due to the scandal, he is on "first-name terms with some of the people that stand outside my front door".

He expressed astonishment at "the amount of love" he's received since the announcement of his departure, calling it "a bit bonkers". "I didn’t think it would be quite the big deal that it was – it’s just a guy that has done a TV show for a long time, it’s nothing more than," he remarked.

Lineker will remain a voice on the airwaves with the MOTD Top Ten podcast and The Rest Is Football podcast, which also features BBC pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Richards paid tribute to Lineker, saying it was a "sad day" upon hearing the news.

"You’ve been in the game for 25 years at the highest level, people don’t do that, and you’ve done that for 25 years," he commented on the podcast. "It is a sad day, not just for us, but for people who have watched you over the years, because you are a great of broadcasting."

"Yes, you’re not leaving yet, but in terms of Match of the Day, I just want to thank you so much for everything you’ve done, not just for me, but for everyone associated and who has watched you over the years."

Shearer hailed Lineker as an "unbelievable player, playing at the highest level for years and years and years" and similarly an "unbelievable presenter for years and years and years".

Having topped the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent list for seven consecutive years, Lineker was reported to have earned £1.35 million in the year 2023/24, as per the corporation’s annual report released in July. The BBC has stated that future plans for Match of the Day will be "announced in due course".

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