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Agence France-Presse

Former England football captain Gary Lineker will step down as host of the BBC’s flagship Match of the Day highlights show at the end of the season, the broadcaster confirmed on Tuesday.
But the BBC said Lineker – the broadcaster’s highest-paid presenter earning £1.35 million (US$1.7 million) a year – would remain at the corporation after both parties “agreed in principle to a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup”.
“After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD,” said Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport.
“We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week.
“He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football.”












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Lineker, who will have held the post for 26 years when he leaves at the end of the Premier League season in May 2025, said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”
Former BBC director general Greg Dyke told BBC radio that Lineker was “the outstanding sports presenter of his time”, but added: “Life moves on – presenters don’t stay forever.”
The 63-year-old Lineker took over as host of the Saturday night programme in 1999.
In March last year, Lineker was briefly taken off air by bosses after comparing the language used to launch a British government asylum policy to the rhetoric of Nazi-era Germany on social media.

With more than eight million followers on X, he is one of the most influential media figures and his comments sparked a backlash.
In solidarity with Lineker, a number of fellow presenters and pundits, including Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, refused to appear on the programme, meaning an episode was reduced to 20 minutes and aired without its host, pundits and commentary.
Lineker was reinstated just over a week later.
The BBC launched an independent review of its social medial guidelines, which recommended that high-profile presenters should be able to express views on political issues but should stop short of campaigning on party politics or for activist organisations.
The former Leicester forward has hosted refugees in his home and has often criticised government policies, particularly on immigration.

Last week Lineker, who turns 64 at the end of November, admitted he would “have to slow down at some point”, and intimated to Esquire magazine that he may seek to focus full time on his successful podcast business.
In August 2016, Lineker made good on an earlier promise to present the show in his underpants after his boyhood club Leicester won the Premier League.
As a player, Lineker was one of England’s greatest strikers and was fourth on its scorers list with 48 in 80 appearances. He was the top scorer at the 1986 World Cup and played for leading clubs such as Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham.
After retiring, he reinvented himself as a television presenter and became a household name to a whole new audience.
He recently launched his own successful podcast production company, which includes shows such as The Rest is Politics and The Rest is Football, which he co-hosts with Shearer and Micah Richards.


Former England captain Gary Lineker to step down as host of Match of the Day after 26 years

Manchester United win, Spurs stunned, Medvedev meltdown, Springboks beat Scots

Slumping City lose again, Australia win at death, Zheng’s collapse hands Gauff WTA title

Fantasy Premier League: a good week to pick up some Spurs, skippered by Mohamed Salah

English Premier League

Gary Lineker covering an FA Cup  match between Leicester City and Manchester United in March 2021. Photo: PA

Lineker presents his show in his underpants after his boyhood club Leicester won the Premier League. Photo: BBC TV

Gary Lineker (right) scored a hat-trick against Poland at the 1986 World Cup, where he was top scorer. Photo: AFP

It’ll be a ‘different world’ at Manchester United, says exiting Sporting boss Ruben Amorim

Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim waves to the crowd after the 4-1 win over Manchester City in his final home game with the club. Photo: dpa

Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres (right) shoots past Manchester City’s Ederson to make it 1-1. Photo: Reuters

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland hits the crossbar in his penalty miss when City were 1-3 down. Photo: Reuters

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side’s second against Aston Villa at Anfield. Photo: EPA-EFE

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola can’t bear to watch as his side lose to Brighton. Photo: Reuters

Coco Gauff (left) celebrates with her trophy as Zheng Qinwen waits. Photo: AP

Jurgen Klopp defends his decision to join Red Bull after backlash from German fans

German coach Jurgen Klopp, seen here receiving the Order of Merit of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg, has defended his decision to take the job as head of global football at drink giants Red Bull. Photo: dpa

Leipzig’s Willi Orban (left) and Kevin Kampl are ‘club legends’ anyone could have bought, says Klopp. Photo: AFP

Who does the BBC serve? Lineker row revives impartiality debate about British broadcaster

British soccer broadcaster Gary Lineker is seen in London on Monday. Photo: PA via AP

The BBC has come under repeated criticism in recent years from politicians of all stripes, for perceived bias. File photo: dpa

Football presenter Gary Lineker outside his home in London. Photo: Reuters

BBC Chairman Richard Sharp. Photo: Parliamentary Recording Unit via AFP

Leicester City fans show their support for Gary Lineker. Photo: Reuters

BBC crisis escalates as players and stars rally behind Gary Lineker

Gary Lineker arrives at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England on Saturday. Photo: PA Wire / dpa

A Manchester City fan at Selhurst Park stadium in London holds a sign in support of BBC presenter Gary Lineker before the match against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Paris, France on Friday. Photo: Xinhua 

Keir Starmer, leader of Britain’s Labour Party, in London, Britain on February 27. Photo: Reuters 

Former England footballer Gary Lineker, right, in the stands during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, UK on Saturday. Photo: PA Wire / dpa

Sport

Football

The BBC says its highest-paid presenter – who earns £1.35m (US$1.7m) a year – will remain at the corporation ‘through to the 2026 World Cup’


The BBC says its highest-paid presenter – who earns £1.35m (US$1.7m) a year – will remain at the corporation ‘through to the 2026 World Cup’.
