Gary Lineker Match of the Day exit CONFIRMED: BBC announce host’s new contract will see him step down from flagship present because it ‘evolves’ and saves his new boss ‘hundreds of thousands’

Gary Lineker has quit Match of the Day after 26 years of hosting the iconic football show, the BBC confirmed on Tuesday.

The Beeb announced the news with a statement confirming that Lineker, 63, has extended his contract until the end of the 2026 World Cup and will continue other responsibilities with the BBC despite stepping down from the flagship football programme.

Lineker’s exit will close the curtain on a long – and controversial – chapter for one the nation’s most popular sports shows.

The statement read: ‘The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup. 

‘Gary will lead the coverage of the tournament, as England once again try to land a first major trophy since 1966, the other Home Nations look to qualify and Lionel Messi aims to retain the trophy he won with Argentina.

Gary Lineker has quit Match of the Day after 26 years with the BBC’s flagship football show

The 63-year-old England legend was the BBC’s highest-paid presenter with a salary of £1.35m

Lineker hosts The Rest is Football podcast with Alan Shearer, left, and Micah Richards, centre

‘Gary will also host BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025-26 season, 35 years on from lifting the trophy as a player.

‘After a quarter of a century, Gary is stepping down from hosting Match of The Day at the end of this season. He will continue with the MOTD Top Ten podcast and the BBC will also host the hugely popular The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds.’

The 63-year-old presenter, who was the BBC’s highest-paid presenter with a salary of £1.35million, entered negotiations with the broadcaster’s new director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, in October. 

As part of the announcement, Lineker said: ‘I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.’

Lineker’s relationship with Kay-Jelski has also been described as ‘not exactly close’ by The Sun’s sources, with the new chief keen to slash spending and give the show a facelift.

Kay-Jelski added: ‘Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup.

‘After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. 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.’

Despite quitting Match of the Day from next season, Lineker will continue to present the BBC’s FA Cup coverage for 2025-26, as well as fronting broadcasting for the 2026 World Cup

Mark Chapman (right) and Gabby Logan (left) have previously been touted as among the favourites to succeed Lineker, while Micah Richards and Alex Scott are also in contention

The former Tottenham, Barcelona and Leicester footballer’s exit was effectively confirmed by his business partner Alastair Campbell, who claimed he would be a ‘very hard act to follow’.

Lineker branched out in recent years by co-founding the production company Goalhanger, which produces his podcast The Rest is Football, with other titles including The Rest is History, The Rest is Entertainment and The Rest is Politics. The latter is co-hosted by Campbell.

Lineker’s time as the face of Match of the Day has been divisive at times, with the presenter temporarily suspended last year for criticising the government’s asylum policy in a controversially worded tweet.

He returned soon after following a walk-out by his MOTD colleagues who showed solidarity with the former England striker, and the row even prompted the Beeb to overhaul and draw up a new set of guidelines for its presenters and their social media use.

It has been hard for the BBC to keep a handle on him when he presents his popular podcast, The Rest Is Football, alongside Micah Richards and Alan Shearer. 

Lineker’s recent years have been controversial due to his outspoken social media presence

During Euro 2024 he branded England’s performance against Denmark as ‘s***’, which prompted a retaliation from Harry Kane, who hit out at attacks from pundits who knew what it is like to ‘wear the shirt’.

That shock jock tone landed him in hot water and stands in stark contrast to the more composed, cerebral style that Match of the Day upholds.  

Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan have previously been touted as the favourites to replace the former England striker. 

Former Manchester City defender Richards and ex-Lionesses star Alex Scott are also considered among the frontrunners to land the hosting role.