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    Alan Shearer breaks silence on Match of the Day future after Gary Lineker’s emotional BBC exit

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    ALAN SHEARER has opened up on Gary Lineker’s emotional Match of the Day exit – and his own future on the show. Lineker, 64, signed off from his role as MOTD host after 26 years on Sunday night. Alan Shearer has broken his silence on his Match of the Day futureCredit: GettyGary Lineker signed off on the show for the final time on Sunday after 26 yearsCredit: BBCThe England legend revealed his intention to quit from the Beeb show back in November. But his exit was overshadowed by an antisemitism storm, which saw Lineker step away from the BBC completely. Shearer, 54, made his BBC punditry debut back in 2006 and has worked alongside Lineker ever since. Shearer told The Daily Mail: “He got a really emotional send off on Sunday, and one he deserved.READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER”He’s a brilliant broadcaster, and he’s a great friend of mine, and we will all miss him.”The Toon icon confirmed he will continue to appear on the iconic BBC show. Shearer and Lineker are also set to carry on with their hit podcast The Rest Is Football.They are joined on the pod by Micah Richards, another popular Beeb pundit.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKShearer admits Lineker’s farewell didn’t hit too hard – as they’ve already recorded two more episodes since. The Newcastle legend continued: “It’s different for myself and Micah, because it’s not as if we’re not ever going to see him again. Gary Lineker reveals Match of the Day blunder he made in last-ever appearance for first time in 26 years”I mean, we’ve done two recordings of our podcast as well, so we’re still going to be sort of working together.”Lineker’s production company Goalhanger Productions are reportedly in talks with DAZN ahead of the summer. The discussions are based around “launching shows featuring MOTD-style match clips of the Club World Cup.”TV insiders also believe Lineker moving to a rival such as ITV or Sky Sports is “highly unlikely.”Lineker faced a huge backlash after he re-posted a video earlier this month which criticised Zionism and included an illustration of a rat.I’m sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbyeGary LinekerMOTD The Three Lions legend agreed to leave the BBC for good and apologised unreservedly.Lineker was given a seven-minute tribute during his final Match of the Day broadcastTearing up, he added: “It’s been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It’s been utterly joyous.”I’d like to wish Gabby [Logan], Mark [Chapman], and Kelly [Cates] all the best when they sit in the chair.”The programme is in the best of hands. My final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching. Read More on The Sun”Thank you for all your love and support over the years. It’s been so special. “I’m sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye.” More

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      Gary Lineker reveals Match of the Day blunder he made in last-ever appearance for first time in 26 years

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      GARY LINEKER revealed the blunder he made for the very first time – in his last-ever Match of the Day show. Lineker, 64, bowed out from the programme on Sunday night at the end of the Premier League season.Gary Lineker made a blunder at the end of his final Match of the Day showCredit: PALineker explained the mistake on The Rest Is Football podcastCredit: YouTube – The Rest Is FootballHe had planned to stay on presenting FA Cup matches and front the World Cup coverage next summer.But the legendary broadcaster walked away from the BBC for good following an anti-semitism row and fall-out with Beeb bosses. And Lineker admitted he made a glaring error as he closed his final show – and one he had never done before. Towards the end of the show, there was an emotional montage of friends, colleagues and team-mates paying tribute to the departing host.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe likes of Alan Hansen, Paul Gascoigne, Ian Wright and Lineker’s three sons all contributed then after a special message from Andrea Bocelli, Lineker had welled up and was understandably finding it difficult to keep it all together. So much so that when he went to talk through the final Premier League table, he fluffed his lines.Lineker could be heard scrambling around trying to find the piece of paper with the script to talk through the table – but with no joy.And that meant he had to make it up as he went along – and did so with his brilliant charm and ease.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSChoking back tears on the live TV show, Lineker said: “I don’t know if I can speak. I’ll try.”For one last time, here’s the Premier League table.”Gary Lineker tears up as he bids emotional farewell to iconic Match of the Day after controversial BBC axeThen came a pause as he rustled through the papers, before continuing: “And I can’t find the copy.”So I tell you what, you can just read it for yourselves because it doesn’t matter. “Liverpool won the league as you can see, the teams that qualified for the Champions League are Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle.”Villa and Forest will also play European football next season.”Let’s have a look at the bottom of the table – it’s the first time I’ve ever ad-libbed this.”Ermm, the bottom three are going down as they do tend to do at the end of the season.”One of those teams is, of course, Leicester which is not really how I wanted to finish.”Lineker’s mishap prompted sniggering laughter from pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.’I WAS STRUGGLING’And when the trio reconvened for their TheRest Is Football podcast, the ex-Leicester striker addressed the gaffe. Lineker explained: “When they played the montage, I was struggling, especially when I saw my boys.”Thankfully, that wasn’t the last clip because I’d gone at that point and needed time to get myself together to try and get through the end of the show.”It’s weird, isn’t it? I presented it for 26 years and I always finish with the Premier League table and then a closing line.”But for the first time ever, because of everything that was going on, I completely lost what we call the copy, the written form of what I read out over the tables.”That’s written by the subs and it needs to be accurate – you can’t make any mistakes.”For the first time in 26 years, I couldn’t find it and it wasn’t there, so I just bust which was a bit different.”Read More on The SunLineker was gifted with a couple of presents by Shearer and Richards before making a thank-you speech to end his final appearance on the show, which was closed by Bocelli performing and a series of the season’s highlights.Somewhat ironically, the final game of Lineker’s long stint was his beloved Leicester losing with their relegation already confirmed – nine years after he opened Match of the Day in his underpants following their 5,000-1 title win. Lineker was given a wonderful send-off by Alan Shearer and Micah RichardsCredit: PALineker departed after 26 years in the BBC studio hot seatCredit: BBC More

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      ‘Did you send him back?’ – Eagle-eyed fans spot awkward Match of the Day gaffe on Gary Lineker’s farewell show

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      EAGLE-EYED viewers spotted an error during Gary Lineker’s final Match of the Day show.The presenter wiped away tears as he said an emotional farewell to hosting the highlights show after 26 years in the job.David Moyes was accidentally displayed as West Ham manager on Gary Lineker’s last showCredit: BBCAs the Premier League season came to an end yesterday, the best bits of ten final day matches were on last night.The penultimate fixture saw West Ham beat relegated Ipswich 3-1 and as Lineker introduced the game, an incorrect image was displayed behind him.Tractor Boys manager Kieran McKenna was incorrectly put next to a photo of now-Everton manager David Moyes instead of Hammers boss Graham Potter.It made for an awkward blunder as Moyes left West Ham last summer after four-and-a-half years in charge.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans were quick to spot the mistake and took to social media, with one saying: “Error from the BBC? Did anyone else notice.”Another laughed: “Did you send David Moyes back to West Ham as manager for the last game of the season?”A third joked: “Why was Moyes shown as the West Ham manager during the show, is that a clue they want him back?”Though it did little to damage an excellent goodbye to Lineker, who received gifts from pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards before tributes flooded in.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKVideo messages from the likes of Pep Guardiola, Paul Gascoigne and Claudio Ranieri were displayed as Lineker was left in tears.In an emotional goodbye, the ex-England striker said: “Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the other pundits that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years. You’ve made my job so much easier.Gary Lineker tears up as he bids emotional farewell to iconic Match of the Day after controversial BBC axe”Also, a huge thank you to those you don’t see at home, the work that goes into making this iconic show.”It is a huge team effort from the editors to the analysis team, from the commentators to the floor managers, from the producers to the camera operators, from the PAs to the subs.”Thank you all. You’re the very best. Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits.”It’s been an absolute privilege to have hosted Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It’s been utterly joyous.”I’d like to wish Gabby, Mark, and Kelly all the very best when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the best of hands.”My final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching. Thank you for all your love and support over the years.”It’s been so special and I’m sorry that your team was always on last.”Lineker broke down in tears after his farewell montageCredit: BBC More

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      Gary Lineker tears up as he bids emotional farewell to iconic Match of the Day after controversial BBC axe

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      GARY Lineker teared up as he bid an emotional farewell to the iconic Match of the Day show following the BBC’s controversial decision to axe him.The popular presenter thanked his co-workers and the Match of the Day staff for his 26 years presenting the show.The presenter struggled to fight back the tears in an emotional farewellCredit: BBCCo-hosts and friends Micah Richards and Alan Shearer presented Gary Lineker with a golden boot in a heartfelt farewellCredit: BBCGary Lineker was seen wiping away tears after watching tributes pour inCredit: BBCTributes poured in from former legendary teammates, managers, players, colleagues and family in a heartfelt farewell montage that closed the show.Man City boss, Pep Guardiola, told the presenter: “You won’t believe it but you will be missed! “You have my Barcelona shirt – you can send it to me!”Claudio Ranieri, former Leicester manager, was another to send his praises to the former Foxes player.read more on sportHe said: “Well done for the amazing job you have done.”2016, we will always remember.”His co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards then presented a tearful Gary Lineker with a golden boot.MOTD legend Alan Hansen also praised the outgoing presenter, saying his “sharp, intelligent” skills on the pitch carried over into the studio.Most read in Football”It was a seamless journey,” he added.During the show, the former England football captain interviewed Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who offered words of praise for the presenter.Gary Lineker apologises for antisemitic post and confirms he’s quitting BBC next week”And thank you for being such a great host of a BBC show I’ve watched many times,” Arne Slot said.The Liverpool manager added: “I’d like to give you a Liverpool shirt instead of the other club you played for!”The emotional Gary Lineker bowed out of MOTD, praising the staff behind the scenes. I’m sorry your team is always last onGary LinekerHe said: “Let me thank for all the people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the 25 years…”Thank you for all the people on the show you don’t see.. Thank you all.”Rather like my football career, everyone else did the hard work.”He then shared a special message with viewers, thanking them for their support and jokingly added: “I’m sorry your team is always last on!”At the start of Match Of The Day, Gary Lineker opened by saying, “It wasn’t meant to end this way” before referencing the title race being over and Champions League qualification being all there was to focus on.The programme opened with clips of the former footballer in action on the pitch, followed by the words “The end of an Era”.Gary was spotted earlier looking relaxed in a checked shirt and jeans, smiling as he arrived at the studios.The BBC online preview for tonight’s MOTD said: “The best of the action from the final day of the Premier League season presented, for the last time, by Gary Lineker.”However, it came after he recently left colleagues in no doubt about his feelings on BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.He was seen to snub his boss and made remarks about him, which were described as “blunt”.The 64-year-old was due to cover next year’s FA Cup and World Cup but bowed out early.It follows a controversial row over his use of social media.The BBC have come up with a new format but tried and tested presenters to replace Gary Lineker next season.Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will have big shoes to fill.The Leicester-born star, who moved seamlessly from footballer to one of the most famous presenters at the corporation, was temporarily suspended in March 2023.He was embroiled in an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-government’s new asylum policy.I would never consciously repost anything anti-SemiticGary LinekerIn November 2024 he announced he would be stepping down from presenting Match Of The Day at the end of the season, but would still host World Cup and FA Cup coverage.He exited the broadcaster early after apologising for sharing and then deleting a post on his Instagram account from the group Palestine Lobby.It was illustrated with a picture of a rat, which prompted calls for him to be sacked.A statement from Lineker read: “I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic – it goes against everything I stand for.”However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”After this the BBC said Lineker would leave his presenting role following the conclusion of Match Of The Day for the 2024/25 season.The broadcaster added that he would not present its coverage of the 2026 World Cup or next season’s FA Cup.But the ex-England captain suggested he wants to step away from traditional television when asked in an interview about his post-MOTD schedule.Just days before announcing his exit from the BBC on Monday, Lineker told the Beyond The Title podcast: “Professionally, I’ve got a big podcast company and I think it takes up quite a bit of my time and it will probably take up a bit more now.“It’s really exciting and it’s a lot of fun. We’re doing really well. I don’t think I’ll do much television.‘Really proud’“Hopefully I’ll be in a position where I can just pick and choose things I quite fancy doing. So the podcast world really I think.”Lineker also insisted his broadcasting career has made him prouder than his on-pitch heroics for teams such as Leicester, Everton, Spurs and Barcelona.He added: “I’m actually probably a bit more proud of what I’ve done in broadcasting than possibly football because I always said I was born to be in the box, not on the box.“I had to work really hard at television.“ I had to work hard at football but it came naturally, whereas television didn’t come naturally.“It took a lot of hard work and effort and determination and studying and stuff of other people and how they do it.Read More on The Sun“Eventually I got there. Probably I’m proudest of the fact I made it to the top in broadcasting.”Leicester fan Lineker runs production company Goalhanger Podcasts which is behind hit series The Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.How Gary Lineker became the BBC’s highest paid starGary Lineker has hosted Match Of The Day for more than 25 years but will leave the role earlier than expected following a row over his use of social media.The Leicester-born star, who moved seamlessly from footballer to one of the most famous and highly-paid presenters at the corporation, began his career at Leicester City, the club he had supported since childhood, in 1978.The 64-year-old striker scored 103 goals for the Foxes in all competitions before signing with Everton for £800,000 in 1985.He scored 40 goals in 57 games for the Toffees in his only season with the Liverpool-based side, before his six goals for England at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico won him the competition’s golden boot award and attracted the attention of Spanish football giants Barcelona.Moving to the Catalan side in 1986, Lineker went on to become the highest scoring British player in La Liga, Spain’s highest football division, under English manager Terry Venables.His record 42 goals was only beaten by Welsh winger Gareth Bale in 2016.Lineker spent three years in Spain before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in July 1989 for £1.1 million.He played a part in England’s run to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, which resulted in a defeat on penalties against West Germany.After the match, Lineker, who captained the Lions from 1990 to 1992, coined the phrase: “Football is a simple game: 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win.”He won the 1991 FA Cup final with Spurs, beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 despite having a goal controversially disallowed for offside and Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley saving a penalty.In 1992, Lineker became the first English footballer to play in Japan’s highest division, the J League, when he joined Nagoya Grampus Eight for £2 million.He retired after an injury-hit two-year spell at the club which saw him play just 23 times.Throughout his career Lineker was renowned for never receiving a yellow or red card booking from the referee.Following his retirement, Lineker joined BBC Radio 5 Live as a football pundit before becoming a team captain on the sports game show They Think It’s All Over from 1995 to 2003.In 1997 he took over as host of Grandstand when then-presenter Desmond Lynam was at Aintree for the Grand National which was abandoned due to a bomb alert.He replaced Lynam as presenter of the BBC’s flagship football highlights programme Match Of The Day in 1999, when Lynam defected to rival ITV.Lineker would later become the corporation’s highest-paid presenter, with the BBC’s annual report for 2023/24 showing his salary to be to around £1.35 million a year.He was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-government’s new asylum policy.In November 2024 he announced he would be stepping down from presenting Match Of The Day at the end of the season, but would still host World Cup and FA Cup coverage.He exited the broadcaster early, however, after apologising for sharing and then deleting a post on his Instagram account from the group Palestine Lobby, illustrated with a picture of a rat, which prompted calls for him to be sacked from the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).After this the BBC said Lineker would leave his presenting role following the conclusion of Match Of The Day for the 2024/25 season and added that he would not present its coverage of the 2026 World Cup or next season’s FA Cup.Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman will share the presenting role on the football show from the next Premier League season.The former England striker is also the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, makers of the popular The Rest Is History series and its spin-offs about politics, football, entertainment and money.Lineker was seen smiling as he headed into the studios for his final showGary Lineker presenting Match of the Day for the last timeCredit: BBC More

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      Gary Lineker’s brutal snub of BBC boss days before he quit revealed as he leaves channel for good in antisemitism row

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      GARY Lineker ended his Match of the Day career last night — as details emerged of his parting shot at his BBC boss.The former England football captain, 64, began his final show with a quip about his telly departureGary Lineker was emotional as he said goodbye to the MOTD audienceGary Lineker arrives to present his final Match of the DayCredit: MCPIXLineker was seen to snub his boss Alex Kay-Jelski and made remarks about him in earshot of staff, it was claimedCredit: BBCIt came after he recently left colleagues in no doubt about his feelings on BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.He was seen to snub his boss and made remarks about him which were described as “blunt”.Once cameras began rolling on his final MOTD appearance, Gary used his opening line to aim a cheeky dig at the Beeb.He said: “It wasn’t meant to end this way.”Read More on SportThe legendary striker then continued: “But with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about.”TV frontman Gary then became emotional as he said goodbye to the MOTD audience after a host of former teammates and colleagues paid tribute in a video package.He said: “Let me thank for all the people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the 25 years…”Thank you for all the people on the show you don’t see.. Thank you all.Most read in Football”Rather like my football career, everyone else did the hard work.”He began his role on the highlights show in 1999 alongside Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson and had been due to anchor the BBC’s World Cup coverage next year.But he took the decision to quit the corporation altogether after he was blasted for reposting a video on social media which criticised Zionism with a picture of a rat — used as an insult to Jews by the Nazis.He has repeatedly apologised. Co-stars and close pals Micah Richards and Alan Shearer were also seen arriving at the MediaCity studios in Salford.Insiders said there was no love lost between Gary and his boss Alex, who took over the top job at BBC Sport from Barbara Slater last April.A source said: “By the end of Gary’s tenure at BBC Sport he didn’t have much time for Alex.“When he was working on the FA Cup final, just two days before he quit, Alex came over to where Gary was and he just walked off without a word.Read More on The Sun“He made a couple of remarks about Alex in earshot of people working around them. It’s clear there’s no love lost. “Gary is really well liked and there are plenty of people who joked that they agreed with what he said.”Gary Lineker apologises for antisemitic post and confirms he’s quitting BBC next weekGary tried to hold back tears as he signed off for the last timeCredit: BBCLineker with Alan Hansen and Mark LawrensonCredit: BBCAlan Shearer was snapped as he arrived at the studiosCredit: ZenpixMicah Richards arrives for the showCredit: Zenpix More

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      Who is going to be the new presenter of Match of the Day?

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      MATCH of the Day will have a new look in 2025 – with Gary Lineker set to step down from his role.The former Leicester and Tottenham striker will be leaving the show, with some new faces set to step in.Gary Lineker will leave his role as BBC presenter at the end of this seasonCredit: GettyMark Chapman will be one of the new presenters of Match of the DayCredit: GettyGabby Logan will also be presenting the show in the 2025/26 seasonCredit: eric mccowat/Alamy Live NewsKelly Cates also steps into the role of presenter ahead of 2025/26Credit: GettyThe show has been running since 1964, with Lineker stepping into the role of presenter back in 1999 – and stepping away 25 years later.The 64-year-old was originally scheduled to stay on as presenter for the FA Cup, and the 2026 World Cup, but recent controversy has meant he will step away altogether. However, controversy on not, Lineker had made the decision to step away from Match of the Day presenting in January 2025, with three new faces already confirmed. SunSport can share who will present Match of the Day from the 2025/26 season.Read more FootballWho will be the new Match of the Day presenters?Match of the Day will be hosted by three presenters from next season onwards, those being:Kelly CatesMark ChapmanGabby LoganGary Lineker confirmed he would leave the show in January, but at the time said he would continue for the FA Cup and the World Cup in 2026.However, Lineker was recently at the centre of controversy, so will not continue on with the FA Cup and the upcoming World Cup.Most read in FootballWho is Kelly Cates?Kelly Cates is the daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish.Cates has worked for the BBC on and off since 2013, for Radio 5 Live.She is well known for her time presenting Sky Sports, often appearing on Friday Night Live and Super Sunday to cover games. Kelly Cates (right) is well known for presenting on Sky SportsCredit: REUTERS/David KleinWho is Mark Chapman?Mark Chapman has already worked with the BBC, hosting Match of the Day 2 on Sunday nights.He also works as a host for the BBC Champions League highlights show. Chapman also hosts Sports Report on BBC 5 live, one of the longest-running programmes on British radio. Mark Chapman has already presented for the BBCCredit: GettyWho is Gabby Logan?Gabby Logan was an understudy to Lineker this season, an has a lot of experience presenting for the BBC. She has covered a range of sports, such as the Olympics, and shows, such as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.Logan has worked with BBC on Final Score, being the main face of the programme from 2009 to 2013, and worked with Amazon Prime to cover the Champions League.Gabby Logan has hosted a number of sports and shows for the BBCCredit: Getty More

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      Reason Gary Lineker does not plan to do much TV after leaving MOTD revealed

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      GARY LINEKER does not plan to do much telly work after leaving the BBC and will instead concentrate on his popular podcasts.After 26 years as Match Of The Day host, he will present his final highlights show tonight covering the last day of the Premier League season.Gary Lineker does not plan to do much telly work after leaving the BBC and will instead concentrate on his popular podcastsCredit: GettyLineker was due to cover next year’s FA Cup and World Cup but bowed out early, sparking a battle for his signature between rival broadcasters.But the ex-England captain suggested he wants to step away from traditional television when asked in an interview about his post-MOTD schedule.Just days before announcing his exit from the BBC on Monday, Lineker told the Beyond The Title podcast: “Professionally, I’ve got a big podcast company and I think it takes up quite a bit of my time and it will probably take up a bit more now.“It’s really exciting and it’s a lot of fun. We’re doing really well. I don’t think I’ll do much television.Read More on Sport‘Really proud’“Hopefully I’ll be in a position where I can just pick and choose things I quite fancy doing. So the podcast world really I think.”Lineker also insisted his broadcasting career has made him prouder than his on-pitch heroics for teams such as Leicester, Everton, Spurs and Barcelona.He added: “I’m actually probably a bit more proud of what I’ve done in broadcasting than possibly football because I always said I was born to be in the box, not on the box.“I had to work really hard at television.Most read in Football“ I had to work hard at football but it came naturally, whereas television didn’t come naturally.“It took a lot of hard work and effort and determination and studying and stuff of other people and how they do it.How Gary Lineker’s BBC exit will spark intense rivalry between new Match of the Day hosts to lead BBC’s World Cup coverage“Eventually I got there. Probably I’m proudest of the fact I made it to the top in broadcasting.”Leicester fan Lineker runs production company Goalhanger Podcasts which is behind hit series The Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.How Gary Lineker became the BBC’s highest paid starGary Lineker has hosted Match Of The Day for more than 25 years but will leave the role earlier than expected following a row over his use of social media.The Leicester-born star, who moved seamlessly from footballer to one of the most famous and highly-paid presenters at the corporation, began his career at Leicester City, the club he had supported since childhood, in 1978.The 64-year-old striker scored 103 goals for the Foxes in all competitions before signing with Everton for £800,000 in 1985.He scored 40 goals in 57 games for the Toffees in his only season with the Liverpool-based side, before his six goals for England at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico won him the competition’s golden boot award and attracted the attention of Spanish football giants Barcelona.Moving to the Catalan side in 1986, Lineker went on to become the highest scoring British player in La Liga, Spain’s highest football division, under English manager Terry Venables. His record 42 goals was only beaten by Welsh winger Gareth Bale in 2016.Lineker spent three years in Spain before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in July 1989 for £1.1 million.He played a part in England’s run to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, which resulted in a defeat on penalties against West Germany.After the match, Lineker, who captained the Lions from 1990 to 1992, coined the phrase: “Football is a simple game: 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win.”He won the 1991 FA Cup final with Spurs, beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 despite having a goal controversially disallowed for offside and Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley saving a penalty.In 1992, Lineker became the first English footballer to play in Japan’s highest division, the J League, when he joined Nagoya Grampus Eight for £2 million.He retired after an injury-hit two-year spell at the club which saw him play just 23 times.Throughout his career Lineker was renowned for never receiving a yellow or red card booking from the referee.Following his retirement, Lineker joined BBC Radio 5 Live as a football pundit before becoming a team captain on the sports game show They Think It’s All Over from 1995 to 2003.In 1997 he took over as host of Grandstand when then-presenter Desmond Lynam was at Aintree for the Grand National which was abandoned due to a bomb alert.He replaced Lynam as presenter of the BBC’s flagship football highlights programme Match Of The Day in 1999, when Lynam defected to rival ITV.Lineker would later become the corporation’s highest-paid presenter, with the BBC’s annual report for 2023/24 showing his salary to be to around £1.35 million a year.He was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-government’s new asylum policy.In November 2024 he announced he would be stepping down from presenting Match Of The Day at the end of the season, but would still host World Cup and FA Cup coverage.He exited the broadcaster early, however, after apologising for sharing and then deleting a post on his Instagram account from the group Palestine Lobby, illustrated with a picture of a rat, which prompted calls for him to be sacked from the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).After this the BBC said Lineker would leave his presenting role following the conclusion of Match Of The Day for the 2024/25 season and added that he would not present its coverage of the 2026 World Cup or next season’s FA Cup.Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman will share the presenting role on the football show from the next Premier League season.The former England striker is also the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, makers of the popular The Rest Is History series and its spin-offs about politics, football, entertainment and money. More

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      Gary Lineker ‘in talks to launch MOTD-style show with major sport broadcaster’ after controversial BBC exit

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      GARY LINEKER is planning for life as a “media disruptor” after leaving the BBC, according to reports.The 64-year-old parted ways with the Beeb earlier this week following an anti-Semitism row. Gary Lineker has left the BBC after 26 yearsCredit: BBCReports suggest Lineker’s podcast The Rest is Football is set to cover the Club World CupCredit: AlamyLineker announced earlier this season he would depart his role as Match of the Day host after almost three decades.But he had been due to stay for the BBC’s coverage of the World Cup next summer. The former England striker is now reportedly planning to expand on an existing role. According to The Guardian, Lineker’s podcast The Rest is Football are in talks with DAZN. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe discussions are based around “launching shows featuring match clips of this summer’s Club World Cup.”Lineker’s Goalhanger Productions company are reportedly leading the talks with DAZN, who hold global rights to the tournament. Episodes of The Rest is Football were previously available on BBC Sounds after Goalhanger signed a one-year deal with the Beeb last November. Following Lineker’s departure, future episodes will not be streamed on the platform. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe outlet also claims TV insiders believe Lineker moving to a rival such as ITV or Sky Sports is “highly unlikely.”Any success this summer with the Club World Cup could see The Rest is Football return for extended World Cup episodes in 2026. Gary Lineker apologises for antisemitic post and confirms he’s quitting BBC next weekLineker faced a huge backlash after he re-posted a video last week which criticised Zionism and included an illustration of a rat.The Three Lions legend agreed to leave the BBC for good and apologised unreservedly in a video message on Monday.The 64-year-old said in the clip: “Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio.”I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. “As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic – it goes against everything I stand for.”However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. “Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.” More

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      Stoney-faced Gary Lineker breaks cover to walk dog amid BBC exit and cop probe into ‘rat’ online post

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      GARY Lineker takes his dog for a walk — as cops say they are looking into complaints about his online post.And with Lineker, 63, appearing to rule out a return to telly, Filbert had even more reason to be cheery.Gary Lineker was snapped taking his rescue dog Filbert for a walk following his departure from the BBCCredit: Ray CollinsCops say they are looking into complaints about Gary’s recent online postCredit: iNSTAGRAMThe pair stepped out for a stroll near the presenter’s home in south London as he prepared for his last MOTD.The ex-England star, out in South London, is stepping down as Match of the Day host on Sunday after sparking fury by sharing a message criticising Zionism that featured a rat picture.Lineker apologised, but the Met said it is assessing several complaints.In a statement he said: “I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years.READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER”As I’ve said, I’d never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.”However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am.”Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”One woman said she suffered significant distress due to the post.Most read in FootballTim Davie, BBC Director-General, said: “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made.”Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.Gary Lineker sensationally quits BBC and will not front its 2026 World Cup coverage after anti-Semitism row”Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades.”His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. “We want to thank him for the contribution he has made.”The former England star sparked fury by sharing a message criticising Zionism that featured a rat pictureCredit: Ray CollinsGary and Filbert stepped out for a stroll near the presenter’s home in south London as he prepared for his last MOTDCredit: Ray Collins More