Who is Gary Lineker?
Gary Lineker is a former English footballer and one of the most recognized sports presenters in
the UK. He has hosted BBC’s Match of the Day (MOTD) for over 25 years, becoming the
face of the show for many football fans.
What Did Gary Lineker Say?
Recently, Lineker revealed in an interview that he feels the BBC wanted him to step down
from Match of the Day. He said that although he was open to continuing, the BBC seemed to
want to refresh the show with new faces.
Is Gary Leaving for Good?
Yes, Lineker’s final show will be on May 25, 2025. After that, he will no longer hostMOTD.
But this isn’t the end of his time with the BBC—he will still appear for big events like the FA
Cup and the 2026 World Cup.
How Does He Feel About Leaving?
Gary said he won’t really miss the show, just like he didn’t miss playing football after retiring.
He’s looking forward to relaxing on weekends, spending more time with family, traveling,
and watching football casually.
Why Might the BBC Want a Change?
The BBC might be trying to modernize the show. As more people are switching to streaming and younger viewers want fresh content, the BBC seems to be moving in a new direction for
MOTD.
Past Controversies
In 2023, Lineker was briefly suspended from the BBC after tweeting criticism of the UK
government’s asylum policy. The issue caused a big stir, with many BBC colleagues refusing to go
on air in support of him. He later said his tweet was accurate but regretted the chaos it caused.
The BBC will not have just one host anymore. Instead, it will split the job among three people:
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Kelly Cates
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Gabby Logan
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Mark Chapman
This is the first time MOTD will have a hosting trio instead of a single presenter.
What’s Next for Lineker?
Gary Lineker is still very active. He hosts a popular podcast called “The Rest is Football” with
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. So fans will still see and hear from him, just not on MOTD
every Saturday night.