GARY LINEKER’s final appearance of his historic BBC career has been confirmed.
The Sun exclusively revealed last month that Lineker will LEAVE the national broadcaster in the summer of 2026.
Lineker’s 25-year stint presenting Match of the Day will come to an end at the culmination of the 2024-25 season.
He will, however, head up the Beeb’s coverage of the 2025/26 FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
And the final of the tournament, which will take place at the MetLife Stadium in New York on July 19, will be the 64-year-old’s swansong.
BBC chiefs are weighing up who will replace the former Everton and England striker at the MOTD helm, which he took from Des Lynam.
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Lineker has loved every minute of his run presenting the show but believes it is time “for a change” after dedicating nearly half his life to the footie institution.
He said on the The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said: “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.
“It came at a point where really the BBC and Match Of The Day, they’ve got the rights for another three years.
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Who could replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host?
GARY LINEKER dropped the shock news that he is QUITTING Match of the Day.
The popular presenter, 63, took over hosting duties on the flagship BBC programme from Des Lynam in 1999.
But after more than 25 years in the studio hotseat, he has called time on his MOTD gig.
But as part of a huge shake-up, the BBC is considering rotating the presenters on a weekly basis.
So with Lineker vacating the chair, new names will step into his giant boots. But who could they be?
MARK CHAPMAN
Chapman, 51, is the obvious early favourite to follow on from Lineker as MOTD presenter.
He already has the gig as MOTD2 host on a Sunday night plus landed the presenting job for the new BBC Champions League highlights show.
ALEX SCOTT
Scott gets the nod from the Beeb bosses when Lineker is away.
The former right-back, 40, is used to presenting the Saturday night show as well as live match coverage – plus ticks the box as a former England international.
GABBY LOGAN
Like Scott, Logan, 51, is one of the understudies to step in when Lineker is not available.
She has done most gigs since joining the BBC in 2007, including Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year and Final Score.
MICAH RICHARDS
Lineker’s top pick to replace him is exuberant former Man City defender Richards.
The departing host told his close pal, 36, on their Stick to Football podcast: “I’d love to see you take over Micah, I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”
JASON MOHAMMAD
Mohammad could earn the “promotion” from Final Score to Match of the Day.
The 51-year-old Welshman – who took over from Logan in 2013 – is one of the BBC’s top earners already and is more senior than fellow Final Score and BBC Sport broadcaster Kelly Somers, who could in theory become the main live host for the afternoon slot.
JEFF STELLING
He couldn’t, could he? While Lineker has been the face of Saturday night TV for football fans for years, the face of the afternoons was Stelling in his role as Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday presenter.
He would bring plenty of on-screen charisma, wit and legendary TV expertise – but at nearly 70 and currently with talkSPORT, the Hartlepool fan would not be a cheap or long-term appointment.
“The cycle starts from next season so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird. 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 I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.”
Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott are among the favourites to replace Lineker.
Lineker will have no say in who ends up being his successor, but that hasn’t stopped him from giving his replacement a few words of wisdom.
He said: “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.
“I had to fill the ginormous shoes of 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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
