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      Favourites to host Match Of The Day after Gary Lineker’s exit revealed – as BBC plan HUGE shake-up to show

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      GARY LINEKER is QUITTING Match of the Day at the end of the season – and the BBC are planning major changes as they look to replace him.The popular presenter, 63, took over hosting duties on the flagship BBC programme from Des Lynam in 1999.Gary Lineker is stepping down as Match of the Day presenterCredit: BBCWho will fill the empty chair?But after more than 25 years in the studio hotseat, he has called time on his MOTD gig.BBC chiefs are now looking to fill his considerable boots.And The Sun can exclusively reveal that one proposed option includes a series of presenters with Mark Chapman, currently host of MOTD2, one of the anchors likely to be rotated.Former Leicester, Everton, Tottenham and Barcelona hero Lineker will continue presenting the Premier League highlights show until the end of the season.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHowever, his 18-month contract extension means he will anchor live FA Cup matches in 2025-26 and leave the BBC for good after presenting coverage at the 2026 World Cup.A BBC source said: “Gary absolutely adores Match of the Day and has been incredibly happy at the BBC.“But he has been at the helm since 1999, and by the time he leaves he will have been at the Beeb for 30 years.“He wants to leave on a high – and if England win the World Cup, it doesn’t get much higher.Most read in Football“It’s one of the industry’s worst-kept secrets that the new BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski and Gary aren’t exactly close. The former is very keen to make his mark by bringing in new faces and slashing wage bills.“Negotiations have been ongoing for the past six weeks and finally a deal has been struck that everyone is pleased with. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“BBC execs will be giving Match of the Day a reboot to keep it fresh in the wake of such a huge departure.”And part of that will include finding the replacement – or replacements – for Lineker.Gary Lineker’s best Match of the Day momentsJermaine Jenas was long seen as the successor but the former Prem star is now out of the running after being AXED by the Beeb for his sexting scandal.So with Lineker vacating the chair, several new names will collectively step into his giant boots.Who, though, could they be?MARK CHAPMANSunSport understands 51-year-old Chapman will likely be one of the presenters rotated in the new-look MOTD format.He already has the gig as MOTD2 host on a Sunday night plus landed the hosting job for the new BBC Champions League highlights show.Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson, 67, feels Chapman is poised for the job because he’s the clear No1 candidate.He said: “In Chappers, there is a ready-made replacement if it goes that way. It will be up to Gary.”Though not a former player, Chappers has shown his quality as a presenter and would be an able replacement.Mark Chapman would be one of the obvious choices as he currently presents MOTD2Credit: GettyChapman has been on the sofa for the new BBC Champions League highlights showCredit: BBCALEX SCOTTScott gets the nod from the Beeb bosses when Lineker is away.She is used to presenting the Saturday night show but is also perfectly adept at the live match coverage at football stadiums – as demonstrated at the Euros, FA Cup and WSL. The former right-back, 40, also ticks the box of being an ex-England international and has a long broadcasting career still ahead of her.Alex Scott has shown she has what it takes to present live in stadiums and studiosCredit: AlamyGABBY LOGANLike Scott, Logan – who at 51 is the same age as Chapman – is one of the understudies to step in when Lineker is not available.A vastly-experienced broadcaster, presenter and host, Logan seems to have done it all to cover sport for BBC TV – doing everything from Sports Personality of the Year to the Olympics, including Paris 2024.She joined Lineker, Scott and Chapman as Euros presenters and is now on the BBC and Amazon Prime teams for the 2024-25 Champions League.Logan joined the BBC in 2007 and was the main face of Final Score from 2009 to 2013.Gabby Logan is a top broadcaster who has worked on the biggest sporting eventsCredit: AlamyMICAH RICHARDSLineker’s top pick to replace him is 36-year-old former Man City defender and close pal Richards.The former England forward revealed his preferred candidate on their Stick to Football podcast last month.Lineker told the exuberant pundit: “I’d love to see you take over Micah, I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”It prompted a hilarious one-liner from Alan Shearer, who said: “That is a f****** massive concern by the way.”The Newcastle icon joked, “I’m not signing my new contract if you’re a presenter,” as the trio were left in hysterics.Micah Richards is a pundit on Match of the Day and Sky SportsCredit: GettyJASON MOHAMMADGoing back to Final Score and Mohammad, also 51, could earn the “promotion” from the afternoon show to Match of the Day.The Welshman is one of the BBC’s top earners already and is clearly well thought of within the organisation after taking over from Logan in 2013.He is more senior than fellow Final Score and BBC Sport broadcaster Kelly Somers, who could in theory become the main live host for the PM slot with Mohammad on the Match of the Day rota.Jason Mohammad could be ready to get the promotion from Final Score to Match of the DayCredit: BBCJEFF STELLINGHe 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.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Hartlepool supporter is hugely popular among football fans and would bring plenty of on-screen charisma, wit and legendary TV expertise.However, Stelling would not be cheap, already hosts talkSPORT’s breakfast show and turns 70 later in the season so would not be a long-term appointment. Jeff Stelling left Soccer Saturday but would be a popular MOTD presenterCredit: Sky Sports More

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      My family hammered me after my first MOTD appearance but hosting TV’s best football show is an honour, says Gary Lineker

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      GARY LINEKER has blown the final whistle on his Match Of The Day presenting career – and what a goal-den run it has been.Over a quarter of a century, his highlights reel includes hosting the programme in his undies and having toast thrown at him by footie hardman Vinnie Jones.Gary Lineker presented the first MOTD of the new season in his Leicester City emblazoned pants after his former club won the title in 2016Credit: BBCGary’s first appearance as the main presenter on MOTD in 1999Credit: Pixel8000Gary with pundits Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson in 2000Credit: BBCYet the ex-England ace’s debut on the world’s longest-running TV football show left him squirming. “My first-ever appearance on Match Of The Day was probably my worst,” he told the BBC.“I was playing for Leicester in 1980 and, in those days, there was usually just one game shown. So it was incredibly exciting when I heard that our match against Aston Villa had been chosen.“Unfortunately, I missed an easy chance, knocking it over the bar from five yards out. I remember going home and being absolutely hammered by my family when they watched the show that night.”Gary, 63, who hails from a family of greengrocers, added: “My dad enjoyed a bet, but if you’d offered him odds that night back in 1980 that one day I’d present MOTD in my pants, as a result of Leicester winning the Premier League, then he would have laughed you out of town.”Read More on Sport‘I wanted Des’s job’Few have had more stellar England careers than Gary, whose final show will be at the end of this season.The former striker remains the Three Lions’ top scorer at World Cups, with ten goals to his name, and is England’s fourth-highest scorer of all time.He notched up four goals at Italia 90 when England reached the semi-final. He scored in that match before West Germany famously won on penalties.Later, showing an aptitude for a pithy phrase, he said: “Football is a simple game — 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and, at the end, the Germans win.”Most read in FootballThe ex-England skipper always had his eye on a career in the media during his playing career.On retirement, he went into presenting and punditry with the BBC, initially for Radio 5 Live.Gary Lineker will stop presenting Match of the Day at the end of this season at and will quit Beeb by 2027He was also a witty team captain on TV sporting quiz show They Think It’s All Over from 1995 to 2003.Dad-of-four Gary took over presenting Match Of The Day in 1999 from Des Lynam, who many at the time regarded as irreplaceable.And earlier this year, he told the BBC: “I didn’t do punditry for very long. I wanted Des’s job.”At the time he stepped up to the top hosting role, Gary said: “I’ve been watching Match Of The Day since I was a boy.“And just as captaining England was an honour, so too is hosting the best football show on TV.“It’s a job any sports broadcaster would be proud to do and I’m thrilled.” Gary would say of his first show in the hot seat in 1999: “You can’t really practise telly. I don’t get nervous, didn’t as a player, don’t as a presenter, but I remember that first show, there were a few butterflies.”At first, Gary says his presentation style was not as honed as he would have liked. He recalled: “I remember for a couple of years driving home and thinking, ‘I’m never going to be able to crack this’.“But, in the end, you get used to the environment and then it becomes natural — and then it really depends on whether you’ve got enough likeability, that more people like you than hate you.”Gary’s mix of assured authority and quick sense of humour won him legions of fans.Following Premier League rights returning to the BBC from ITV in 2004, Gary pushed for all the day’s matches to be screened.“It’s constantly evolved,” he told the BBC when celebrating Match Of The Day’s 60th anniversary in August this year. “I can remember when I grew up there was just one game shown. Then it went to two.“Then we lost the rights for three years to ITV. When we got the rights back, I said, ‘Is there any way we can show all the games?’.“We found a way of doing it, so I thought, ‘Right, we won’t get people moaning their team is never on Match Of The Day’.“But, of course, then it becomes where the team is in the running order. ‘We’re always last’, and this kind of stuff’.”Despite Gary and his pundits’ forthright criticism, he says few players have had a go at him, explaining: “Very, very rarely. Not with players.“Managers more so, managers are touchy. Footballers get it — they know when they’ve made a mistake.”The MOTD team, clockwise from top left: Jimmy Hill, Barry Davies, John Motson, Gary, Des Lynam and Alan at the 1998 World CupCredit: PA:Press AssociationGary, Alan Shearer and Ian Wright with the MOTD team behind the scenes in 2016Credit: Bradley Ormesher – The TimesGary, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard amd Micah Richards go wild after England go through after beating Switzerland on penalties at Euro 2024Credit: Pixel8000Gary covering the match between Leicester City and Manchester United in 2000Credit: ColorsportA young Lineker at Leicester City in 1979Credit: AlamyOne player who did have a “pop” at him was former Wimbledon hardman Vinnie Jones. The player-turned actor told The Sun how Gary “said he’d rather watch Ceefax than watch Wimbledon”.Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star Vinnie, who was not amused, said: “If I’d got hold of him, I’d have ripped him a f***ing new a***hole.“So when I saw him in a hotel in Dublin, I threw me f***ing dinner at him and said, ‘Well, you want to say something now, big ears?’.”The 1995 set-to also involved Vinnie chucking slices of toast at Gary.Three years later, the pair appeared together in a Walkers crisps advert, the hatchet seemingly buried.If I’d got hold of him, I’d have ripped him a f***ing new a***holeVinnie JonesNow Vinnie says: “He’s not on my Christmas card list. I’m sure I’m not on his.”In 2016, Gary promised to present Match Of The Day in his pants if his beloved Leicester City achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Premier League title.“I did a tweet in December saying if Leicester win the league I’ll do the first show of next season in my undies. When I did that tweet, I knew there was categorically zero chance Leicester would win the league. But, of course, they did.“I kind of had to do it. It was the most surreal thing I’ve done on TV.”Gary also showed his cheeky side when then-Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette let out a blood-curdling scream after being fouled, falling to the ground and clutching his leg, in 2021. Lacazette soon returned to his feet without needing treatment.‘Exceeded expectations’At the end of the show, Gary threw himself off his presenter’s chair with mocking screams.His prowess behind the mic has also seen him present coverage from the Olympics, major golf tournaments and the Sports Personality Of The Year awards.He has been the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent for the past seven years and would work for other networks, including BT Sport.There is also a lucrative long-term sponsorship deal with Walkers crisps, and he jointly owns TV production company Goalhanger Films.It produced sports documentaries including Rooney: The Man Behind the Goals, about Manchester United icon Wayne.Goalhanger also has a podcast division, which has proved Gary’s Midas touch.I did a tweet in December saying if Leicester win the league I’ll do the first show of next season in my undies. When I did that tweet, I knew there was categorically zero chance Leicester would win the league — but, of course, they didGary LinekerNow the largest British producer of podcasts, its shows include The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics and his own podcast, The Rest Is Football, which he hosts with fellow goal-scoring great Alan Shearer and ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards.With his Match Of The Day contract expiring next summer, Gary said in an August interview: “Podcast-wise, things have really exceeded our expectations.“But at the same time, I love being part of Match Of The Day, I love working for the BBC.“I know it has its issues and it has its troubles, but I think it’s brilliant.”Gary is not content to do what his critics demand and stick merely to football.Controversy over his political tweets reached boiling point in March 2023, with the resulting furore seeing the Match Of The Day host taken off air.He had written on X that the language used by the then-government to launch a policy on small boat crossings was “not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”.Esquire magazine called the ex-Leceister, Everton, Tottenham and Barcelona striker “the voice of liberal Britain”.But BBC chiefs suspended Gary — who never received a yellow card, let alone a red, during his 16 years and 654 competitive matches.In a mark of Gary’s popularity among his peers, sport presenters from across BBC programming, including Shearer, Ian Wright, Alex Scott, Jermain Defoe and Dion Dublin, mutinied and came off air.Wright said he would quit Match Of The Day if the BBC “get rid of Lineker”. TV and radio shows including Football Focus, Final Score and Fighting Talk were pulled.Match Of The Day lasted just 20 minutes without presenters or analysts and only edited highlights screened.I love being part of Match Of The Day, I love working for the BBC. I know it has its issues and it has its troubles, but I think it’s brilliantGary LinekerIt was a mark of the esteem Gary is held in by the public that the BBC backed down and reinstated him.An independent review of the corporation’s social media guidelines saw tougher new rules introduced. Then last month came rumours of a leaked email that hinted the BBC was drafting a statement on Gary’s departure from Match Of The Day.A BBC spokesman insisted: “We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract. He is on contract until the end of the season.”Gary characteristically treated the speculation over his future with a gag. He introduced Match Of The Day by saying: “Hello. Seven games on the way and it’s my final show . . . ”READ MORE SUN STORIESThen, pausing with impeccable comic timing, he added: “Before the international break.”Now, one of football’s most cherished sons really is leaving — as perhaps the iconic programme’s greatest-ever presenter. More

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      Five potential new careers for Gary Lineker after quitting MOTD including politics and celebrity chef

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      GARY LINEKER’S decision to quit Match of the Day has sent speculation soaring over his next career move.The BBC’s best-paid presenter, 63, has fronted British football’s most famous highlights show for 25 years.Gary Lineker is looking for something new after MOTDCredit: BBCLineker’s rising interest in cooking included becoming ‘ Chef Gaz’ for fellow presenter Piers MorganCredit: Instagram/piersmorganLineker will step down as Match of the Day presenter at the end of the campaign, although he will front the BBC’s FA Cup coverage next season before hosting at the World Cup and then stepping down.He will take a pay cut and could focus on his interests outside of the BBC, namely his Goalhanger podcasting business which is proving to be a hit.A BBC source told The Sun: “Gary absolutely adores Match of the Day, and has been incredibly happy at the BBC.“He wants to leave on a high – and if England win the World Cup, it doesn’t get much higher.READ MORE TOP FOOTBALL“It’s one of the industry’s worst kept secrets that the new BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski and Gary aren’t exactly close. The former is very keen to make his mark by bringing in new faces, and slashing wage bills.“Gary is incredibly popular with both players and viewers, and news of his departure will send shockwaves around the Corporation. In other words, no-one is immune from change.“Gary will be 65 when he leaves; frankly, he isn’t getting younger and just feels the time is right to focus solely on his mogul interests outside the BBC – namely his Goalhanger podcasting business which is becoming huge Stateside.”However there are plenty of possible options for the England legend to pursue as his wry, relaxed manner has won millions of admirers.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut his willingness to speak out on controversial matters in recent years has divided opinion.All that, however, only makes Lineker even more marketable – in broadcasting and beyond.Gary Lineker reveals how his views on Match of the Day can sometimes get him into trouble The former Barcelona striker has also hinted at new interests, such as cooking.So what’s the £1.35million-a-year broadcaster got next in his pot?  Here we look at four potential options – with offers sure to flood in.POLITICSLineker has insisted he speaks out on “humanitarian issues” rather than making party-political comments. But he frequently irked the previous Conservative Government with several cutting social media posts.And he might appreciate the freedom to have a voice completely free from BBC guidelines for presenters.Lineker has often stirred national debate, most notably in March 2023 with comments on the UK’s asylum policy – a row which even forced a re-think of Beeb rules.He was briefly taken off air at the time, with fellow BBC commentators backing him by refusing to work.The corporation insist Lineker is “free to contribute to projects for third parties, as long as these do not conflict with his BBC commitments”.But with the ex-Tottenham ace determined to use his large following “as a power for good,” is he ready to become a new type of frontman?CELEBRITY CHEFLineker has emerged as a kitchen connoisseur – after telling the Beeb in the spring he “only started cooking about eight years ago”.Lineker could put his feet up, but will he become a TV cook?Credit: Instagram/piersmorgan“Gambas al ajillo” – Spanish garlic shrimp, to you and me – is his speciality.Such is his devotion to learning, he even cooked “three or four meals a day” during the Covid lockdown “not to eat but to practise”.Piers Morgan labelled Lineker “Chef Gaz” after the MOTD star served what the celebrity Arsenal fan called a “quite delicious feast” in front of the cameras.And don’t forget the 48-goal ex-Three Lions’ marksman has a far better footballing pedigree than Britain’s best-known TV chef – Gordon Ramsay!The Scot briefly trialled for his dream club Rangers aged 15 – but a serious knee injury ruined his playing hopes.JOINING A RIVAL BROADCASTERRecruiting Lineker would certainly be a coup for ANY Beeb rival.The Daily Mail even claimed he approached ITV at one stage over the past two years to assess if they were interested in him.But there’s been little talk of a move from fellow broadcasters like Sky Sports or TNT Sports.And Lineker, whose MOTD contract expires at the end of the season, has regularly stated his strong backing for the BBC.HOSTING OWN TALKSHOWLineker appears to love the laidback style of The Rest is Football podcast – alongside MOTD team-mates Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.Lineker clearly enjoys his podcast with Alan Shearer and Micah RichardsCredit: YouTube/ The Rest Is FootballAnd his willingness to dip his oar into many issues means he’d be in demand for all sorts of shows.He also did longer, more in-depth interviews in front of cameras for the Beeb’s “Gary Lineker Meets” series.But the ex-Leicester City hero has so far not expressed much keenness to branch out into a wider talkshow format.REALITY STARTV bosses would lap up the chance to sign top-target Lineker to just about any show.The renowned presenter has previously been tipped to sign-up for BBC flagship show Strictly Come Dancing.When previously asked by judge Shirley Ballas on Sport Relief if he was keen, Lineker said: “Sorry, I’ve got a Saturday job.”But with his Saturday night’s now free for the first time in 25 years, Lineker is finally free to sign up.READ MORE SUN STORIESOr he could be offered to front up another show away from sport.He previously hosted ITV quiz show Sitting on a Fortune from 2021-2023.Lineker could be getting top marks on a new Saturday evening showCredit: BBC More

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      Gary Lineker leaves Match of the Day having made a HUGE change to the show that fans love

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      GARY LINEKER will leave Match of the Day having been responsible for a major change in the format of the show.The England and Leicester hero agreed to call time on his 25-year stint as host of the iconic show at the end of the season.Gary Lineker leaves Match of the Day having made a huge impact on how the show works these daysCredit: BBCLineker has hosted Match of the Day since 1999Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdHe will stop presenting the Premier League highlights on a Saturday night in May but will continue to do live FA Cup matches in 2025-26.Then he plans to quit the BBC entirely after anchoring the coverage of England’s next major tournament at the 2026 World Cup.After Lineker reached new terms a new 18-month contract extension with the Beeb, a source said: “Gary absolutely adores Match of the Day, and has been incredibly happy at the BBC.“He wants to leave on a high – and if England win the World Cup, it doesn’t get much higher.READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER“It’s one of the industry’s worst-kept secrets that the new BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski and Gary aren’t exactly close. The former is very keen to make his mark by bringing in new faces and slashing wage bills.“Negotiations have been ongoing for the past six weeks and finally a deal has been struck that everyone is pleased with. “Gary will be 65 when he leaves; frankly, he isn’t getting younger and just feels the time is right to focus solely on his mogul interests outside the BBC – namely his Goalhanger podcasting business which is becoming huge Stateside.”Lineker, 63, has hosted the much-loved BBC show since 1999 and, for many, is the face of the Premier League on free-to-air TV.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe star hasn’t just put his own spin on the show with his presenting style though, but also with a tweak he helped the BBC make back in 2004.It came after the Beeb had lost the rights to show Premier League highlights to broadcasting rival ITV in 2001.Gary Lineker’s best Match of the Day momentsWhen winning the rights back in 2004, Lineker wanted to ensure the coverage was the best it could be with plans to “stop fans moaning”.The retired Barcelona and Spurs striker requested that the show provided highlights for EVERY Premier League game, something it had not done up until that point.Lineker explained the moment it all changed in an interview with BBC Breakfast back in August, he said: “When it came back, when we got the rights back, I said, ‘Is there any way we could show all the games?’”We found a way of doing it and I thought, ‘Right, we finally won’t get people moaning that they’re never on Match of the Day’.”Since that decision, the show was changed forever with Match of the Day now showing every match in one show so fans up and down the nation can see how their side got on.Although Lineker tried his best to stop fans moaning, the 80-time England international revealed that viewers found something else to complain about instead – the programme’s running order.He added: “But of course then it becomes about where they are on Match of the Day, on the running order! ‘We’re always last’.”SunSport understands that the BBC is now planning a number of shake-ups to revive the format once Lineker leaves.READ MORE SUN STORIESA source added: “The BBC are desperate not to see figures haemorrhage and want to maximise on the show’s current popularity.“They will bring in some exciting new measures over the next few years, whilst not reinventing the wheel.”Lineker earns a pretty penny for his work on Match of the Day More

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      Why has Gary Lineker quit Match of the Day?

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      GARY LINEKER has been the face of iconic football programme Match of the Day since 1999.The former England striker took over as host of the BBC’s Premier League highlights show from Des Lynham.Gary Lineker has stepped down as lead presenter on BBC’s Match of the DayCredit: Getty ImagesBut now The Sun can reveal that the Lineker era is drawing to a close and he is set to QUIT the show at the end of the season. Why has Gary Lineker quit Match of the Day?Gary Lineker has decided to step down from presenting duties of Match of the Day after 25 years in the job.In October, the 63-year-old revealed he was in talks with the BBC over a new contract, but an agreement was never reached, meaning Lineker will leave the corporation at the end of the 2024/25 football season.The former Tottenham and Barcelona legend will completely finish up with the Beeb following the World Cup in 2026. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd last night a BBC source said: “Gary absolutely adores Match of the Day, and has been incredibly happy at the BBC.“But he has been at the helm since 1999, and by the time he leaves, he will have been at the Beeb for 30 years.“He wants to leave on a high – and if England win the World Cup, it doesn’t get much higher.“It’s one of the industry’s worst kept secrets that the new BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski and Gary aren’t exactly close. The former is very keen to make his mark by bringing in new faces, and slashing wage bills.Most read in Football“Negotiations have been ongoing for the past six weeks and finally a deal has been struck that everyone is pleased with.“Gary is incredibly popular with both players and viewers, and news of his departure will send shockwaves around the Corporation. In other words, no-one is immune from change.“Gary will be 65 when he leaves; frankly, he isn’t getting younger. and just feels the time is right to focus solely on his mogul interests outside the BBC – namely his Goalhanger podcasting business which is becoming huge Stateside.“BBC execs, meanwhile, will be giving Match of the Day a reboot to keep it fresh in the wake of such a huge departure.”Lineker was the corporation’s top earner in the 2023/24 financial year, taking home a cool salary of £1.35million.It has not yet been revealed who will replace Lineker as lead presenter of the iconic show, but the BBC are certainly not short of candidates.Mark Chapman is the current host of Match of the Day 2 and is one of the firm favourites for the post.BBC regulars Gabby Logan and Alex Scott will also be amongst the frontrunners for the prestigious role.Lineker’s last Match of the Day show will air on Sunday, May 25, on BBC One – after the final round of fixtures of the 2024/25 Premier League season. More

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      Gary Lineker to QUIT Match Of The Day at end of season – and will LEAVE BBC after fronting 2026 World Cup coverage

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      GARY Lineker is to quit the BBC after the 2026 World Cup, The Sun can reveal.The star will stop presenting Match of the Day at the end of this season.Gary Lineker has a new signing that will keep him on our screensCredit: GettyThe star has presented Match of The Day since 1999Credit: BBC But – as part of an 18-month contract extension – the 63-year-old will stay on to anchor the Corporation’s 2025/26 FA Cup coverage and the next World Cup.Lineker, who will take a substantial pay cut, will have hosted MOTD for 25 years when he steps down from the show.Anchoring the World Cup, which is being held in Canada, Mexico and USA, will mean he bows out on the biggest stage in football.Last night a BBC source said: “Gary absolutely adores Match of the Day, and has been incredibly happy at the BBC.More on Gary Lineker“But he has been at the helm since 1999, and by the time he leaves, he will have been at the Beeb for 30 years.“He wants to leave on a high – and if England win the World Cup, it doesn’t get much higher.“It’s one of the industry’s worst kept secrets that the new BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski and Gary aren’t exactly close. The former is very keen to make his mark by bringing in new faces, and slashing wage bills.“Negotiations have been ongoing for the past six weeks and finally a deal has been struck that everyone is pleased with. Most read in Football“Gary is incredibly popular with both players and viewers, and news of his departure will send shockwaves around the Corporation. In other words, no-one is immune from change.“Gary will be 65 when he leaves; frankly, he isn’t getting younger and just feels the time is right to focus solely on his mogul interests outside the BBC – namely his Goalhanger podcasting business which is becoming huge Stateside.Gary Lineker’s best Match of the Day moments“BBC execs, meanwhile, will be giving Match of the Day a reboot to keep it fresh in the wake of such a huge departure.”The former England striker is understood to be on new terms, which will see his salary reduced significantly. He currently receives £1.35m, making him the highest paid broadcaster at the BBC.The pay cut, in part, is because he will no longer be fronting MOTD – and stand alone payments for the World Cup and FA Cups won’t compensate for this financially.A spokesperson for the BBC declined to comment.Over the past two months there has been frenzied speculation that the star was leaving the BBC’s flagship football programme. Last month a reported leaked email suggested he could be quitting the long-running series mid-season – promoting Gary to joke on air it was his “last game”- before clarifying he meant before the international break. In a recent interview with Esquire Magazine, the ex Spurs star was asked if was stepping down from the Match of the Day hotseat.He replied: “I could do. Whether that will be the case I don’t know.”At some point, I have to slow down somewhere… I’m getting old.”The Sun previously revealed Lineker – who took over from Des Lynam in 1999 – was keen to stay on MOTD and had offered to take a pay cut.While Gary has previously landed himself in hot water over his controversial Tweets, he has since struck a deal with the Director General Tim Davie over what he can and can’t post.Last season he was even taken off air for an episode in the wake of a Tweet comparing the then-government’s asylum policy to Nazi Germany. But his co-stars, Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, refused to go on air without him. The BBC also failed to find a stand-in host to take over in his wake and was forced to air a truncated version of the show.Gary has also come under fire in the wake of launching his hugely successful podcasting empire.Earlier this year five of his Goalhanger productions topped the UK most listened-to podcasts. It has also taken off in the States, making him something of a multi-media mogul.The Sun understands that the BBC is now planning a number of shake-ups to revive the format once Lineker leaves.Thanks for the matchday memories, GaryBy Joshua Jones, Sports ReporterFOR as long as I can remember, Gary Lineker has been the No1 football presenter. Born a few years after his retirement as a player, I have no memories of my own of Lineker on the pitch – for Leicester, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham or England.Instead, I grew up with him as a regular in our lounge on a Saturday night, hosting Match of the Day. For more than two decades, it has been Lineker, the increasingly silver fox, who provided a sense of continuity and stability, an ever-present regardless of which pundits joined him in the studio and which teams made up the Premier League season after season. An astute understanding of the game, his charming persona and his consistency over the years have made him a firm favourite. It is telling that MOTD continues to be such a success and must-watch viewing for so many in an era when all the goals and incidents from Premier League matches are available well before 10.30pm on a Saturday night. He always seemed to hit the right note, too – whether he was required to make a sombre, serious announcement live on air or signing off the show with one of his trademark quips.In recent years, he has not been afraid to speak his mind more and more, thanks in part to his platform as the top-paid BBC presenter and his huge profile outside of the MOTD studio – namely on social media and on his own podcast.His long run in the Match of the Day hot seat means, for many football fans of my era, our whole football journey has been accompanied by Lineker – from the heights of Premier League title wins and FA Cup upsets to the depths of relegation and, of course, heartbreak with England.Because while the bread and butter Match of the Day is the Saturday night highlights, Lineker has also been the main man for the Three Lions’ major tournaments, having to console millions of BBC viewers after gut-wrenching defeats to Croatia, Italy, France and Spain in recent years while he himself, as big a football fan as any of us, mourned another missed opportunity.There is one Lineker moment that stands out above the rest, though. Of course, Lineker Road in my hometown of Leicester beside the old Filbert Street stadium got its name thanks to his goalscoring exploits for his beloved Foxes.But he deserved a far greater honour for what he did on August 13, 2016, famously presenting MOTD in his (very baggy!) pants, coming good on a promise he vowed should Leicester win the title. And somehow he kept a straight face through it all. Ironically, the biggest compliment many people can pay Lineker as MOTD host is that they didn’t know he was a footballer – he is not just an ex-pro who has made a smooth transition from the stadium to the studio but is instead a brilliant TV presenter in his own right, regardless of his status in football.That is proven by the very fact Lineker succeeded the iconic Des Lynam in 1999 as MOTD host so successfully.It will require another fine presenter and plenty of time to follow in his footsteps as a new era begins.They may well succeed, too, but no one will ever really replace Lineker – what he means to so many football fans and the role he plays in countless memories over the last 25 years. Thank you for everything, Gary. A source added: “The BBC are desperate not to see figures haemorrhage and want to maximise on the show’s current popularity.“They will bring in some exciting new measures over the next few years, whilst not reinventing the wheel.”READ MORE SUN STORIESNews of his departure comes as the BBC recently celebrated 60 years of Match of the Day.However the show was rocked earlier this year after pundit Jermaine Jenas was quietly axed after it emerged he had been texting two younger female members of staff on The One Show.Gary is the current presenter of Match of the DayCredit: Getty Images – GettyWho 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 CHAPMANChapman, 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 SCOTTScott 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 LOGANLike 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 RICHARDSLineker’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 MOHAMMADMohammad 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 STELLINGHe 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. More

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      Micah Richards suffers awkward Match of the Day wardrobe malfunction as BBC pundit admits ‘I couldn’t move’

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      MICAH RICHARDS has admitted he “couldn’t move” after suffering a wardrobe malfunction.The BBC pundit was on duty on Match of Day with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on Saturday night.Micah Richards suffered a wardrobe malfunction while on Match of the DayCredit: BBCHe had to hide a hole in his top while filmingCredit: BBCHowever, Richards was not the most comfortable as he had a problem with his top.The former Manchester City defender had a hole in the garment, which left him unable to move during filming.Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, he said: “Basically, I went to my dressing room, well, more of a changing room.”I have put on my spray and my gear, and it looks fantastic if I say so.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”As I get to the studio, I see Alan (Shearer) grinning, and he said, ‘You have got a hole in my top’.”I thought he was pulling my leg, and he said, ‘No, I am being serious,’ and I pull it up, and I have a massive hole.”I couldn’t move, I was so self-conscious it was horrible.”Shearer joked that he was like the Marvel superhero, the Incredible Hulk.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSLineker admitted that he noticed that the malfunction had an effect on Richards during filming.The former England and Barcelona star insisted that, as a result, the pundit had to reduce his usual mannerisms so as not to reveal the hole. Watch Micah Richards’ hilarious reaction after Arsenal hero David Raya reveals favourite CBS pundit in awkward interviewCity’s horror formManchester City have lost their last four games in all competitionsThis is the first time in Pep Guardiola’s career he has suffered four successive defeats.Tottenham 2-1 Man City – EFL CupBournemouth 2-1 Man City – Premier LeagueSporting Lisbon 4-1 Man City – Champions LeagueBrighton and Hove Albion 2-1 Man City Premier LeagueRichards’ former club Man City are also suffering from problems themselves.The reigning champions have lost four games in a row under Pep Guardiola – the first time in his career.The latest defeat came at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex on Saturday. Erling Haaland had given the visitors the lead before Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley made it a comeback victory for the hosts.The defeat leaves the Citizens 2nd in the Premier League table, five points off the pace of leader Liverpool.Man City have lost their last four games in all competitionsCredit: Reuters More

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      Gary Lineker gives six-word update on Match of the Day future as BBC host, 63, drops fresh quit hint

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      GARY LINEKER has given an update on his Match of the Day future and hinted he could quit the BBC.The 63-year-old has been the Premier League highlight show’s host since 1999.Gary Lineker has given a fresh update on his BBC futureCredit: BBCLineker, who has also presented England World Cup and Euros games, sees his deal with the Beeb expire this summer.He has held talks with chiefs over extending his stay but plans have also been drawn up for his departure.In an interview with Esquire Magazine, Lineker was asked if was stepping down from the Match of the Day hotseat.He replied: “I could do. Whether that will be the case I don’t know. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”At some point, I have to slow down somewhere… I’m getting old.”Lineker is open to staying at the BBC, with The Sun exclusively revealing that he has offered to take a pay cut.The former Leicester, Tottenham and Barcelona striker could sign a new deal for £1million per year, which is £350,000 less than his current salary.Lineker remains relaxed about his contract situation, saying: “There are bigger problems in the world that is for sure.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer, so it is natural at some point to have conversations and they have started.”Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards are also in discussions over their futures.Should Lineker leave – Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott are among the bookies favourites to fill his boots.Gary Lineker’s BBC pay negotiations More