Alan Shearer reveals fact behind BBC Match of the Day choice – ‘I mentioned to them’
Alan Shearer has disclosed exactly why he will be taking on a reduced BBC Match of the Day role for the 2026/27 season
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer will only appear on BBC Match of the Day once every month in order to watch his beloved former team more often. There have been a number of changes to the iconic football highlights show over the last few years but Shearer has remained a constant.
His friend and Rest is Football co-host Gary Lineker is one of many to have moved on with the lead presenter replaced by Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan on a rotational basis. In their confirmed lineup for the season, Martin Keown, Dion Dublin, Shay Given, Stephen Warnock, Nedum Onuoha and Theo Walcott were absent.
It is believed, nevertheless, that those excluded will still feature in the BBC’s Match of the Day programming during this season. But potentially replacing them on a more regular basis are Ashley Young, Robbie Keane, Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Frank.
Though Shearer was included in the BBC’s pundit announcement, he has already informed them of his decision to scale back his appearances with the plan being to watch Newcastle more often. “I said to them a while back that I would like some of my weekends back on a Saturday,” Shearer told Daily Mail Sport.
“It’ll be about one a month. I’ll be going to more Newcastle games. I love doing the co-comms. When the FA Cup starts in January, there’s loads of co-comms.”
The Magpies kicked off their Premier League campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Liverpool. New manager Matthias Jaissle did claim his maiden triumph in the hot seat on Wednesday evening, though, as they defeated Championship side West Brom 3-2 in the Carabao Cup.
Shearer also offered his views on the upcoming season after a chaotic summer transfer window as three of their key players departed.
He said: “Plenty of optimism at Newcastle after a long summer. It needed a reset. We mustn’t forget all those players Newcastle sold, wanted to go, didn’t want to be there and didn’t have great seasons last season because Newcastle finished 12th.
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“It had to be a reset and it’s going to take a lot of patience at times, albeit hoping for one or two in before the end of the transfer window, then plenty to be optimistic about after the weekend. I don’t expect us to get into European football this year. If we do, great, it’ll be a great bonus but I don’t expect that.”
Shearer went on to reveal Newcastle’s need for midfield signing and that has since taken place with Nico Gonzalez unveiled at St James’ Park after his £50million move from Manchester City.
On the signing, Shearer said: “It’s really good business with his experience, being at Manchester City for that amount of time, playing under Pep in that winning culture will do Newcastle the world of good.”
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