Gary Lineker says internet hosting Match Of The Day for greater than twenty years has been “an absolute pleasure and privilege”, however that it’s “the best time” for him to exit and “another person to take the helm” of the BBC present.
Former England striker Lineker has hosted Match Of The Day since 1999 and could have introduced the present for greater than 1 / 4 of a century when he leaves in Might 2025. He’ll proceed to current protection of the FA Cup subsequent season and the World Cup in 2026.
“It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to current such an iconic present for the BBC, however all issues have to return to an finish,” Lineker stated on his podcast, The Relaxation Is Soccer.
“It got here at some extent the place actually the BBC and Match Of The Day, they’ve received the rights for an additional three years, the cycle begins from subsequent season so it felt like if I simply do yet another 12 months it might be a bit bizarre.”
The 63-year-old former England striker later added: “I bowed out in my soccer profession after I felt it was the best time. I really feel that is now the best time.
“I feel the subsequent contract they’re trying to do Match Of The Day barely in a different way, so I feel it is smart for another person to take the helm.”
Mark Chapman, Alex Scott and Kelly Somers have all been linked with changing Lineker.
“I look again and it’s been an incredible expertise, and I really feel extremely lucky,” he stated, earlier than confirming he’ll nonetheless watch Match Of The Day.
“I didn’t suppose it might be fairly the large deal that it was – it’s only a man that has performed a TV present for a very long time, it’s nothing greater than,” he stated.
