After an impressive 25-year run, football legend Gary Lineker is set to hang up his ‘Match of the Day’ hosting hat. The former England striker, who has been synonymous with the BBC’s flagship football highlights show since 1999, will officially step down at the end of the current football season.
However, this isn’t a complete farewell. Lineker will remain with the BBC until the end of the next World Cup, slated for 2026 in the US, Mexico, and Canada. As part of his extended contract, he’ll continue to present the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup.
The news, which is expected to be officially announced by the BBC on Tuesday, has sent ripples through the sporting world. It’s been reported that Lineker may continue his association with the BBC beyond 2026, possibly venturing into the podcasting realm. As the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, a company behind successful shows like ‘The Rest Is History,’ ‘The Rest Is Politics,’ and ‘The Rest Is Entertainment,’ Lineker seems well-positioned to navigate the burgeoning podcasting landscape.
The decision to leave ‘Match of the Day’ comes on the heels of a public controversy earlier this year. Lineker faced criticism and temporary removal from the show in March 2023 due to comments he made on social media regarding the then Conservative government’s asylum policies. This led to an independent review of the BBC’s social media guidelines, after which Lineker returned to screens.
Lineker has been a prominent figure on the BBC, consistently ranking as the broadcaster’s highest-paid star for his work across shows like ‘Match of the Day’ and ‘Sports Personality Of The Year.’ His earnings for the 2023-24 financial year were reportedly around £1.35 million, according to the BBC’s latest figures.
While Lineker’s departure from ‘Match of the Day’ marks the end of an era, his connection to the BBC and the world of sports remains strong. His future projects, including potential podcast ventures and continued FA Cup coverage, will undoubtedly keep him in the public eye and engaged with audiences for years to come.
