Gary Lineker, one of the most recognizable faces in British sports broadcasting, is set to step down from his long-standing role as the host of Match of the Day at the end of the 2024-25 season. The former England striker will remain with the BBC until 2026, however, having recently signed an 18-month contract. This contract will extend through the next FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the US, Canada, and Mexico, giving Lineker a prominent role in the BBC’s coverage of the tournament.
Lineker, 63, has been the anchor of Match of the Day since 1999, when he took over from Des Lynam. Over 25 years, he has become synonymous with Saturday night football highlights on British television, becoming one of the country’s best-known sports presenters. His run with the show spans a quarter of a century, and for many, he has become inseparable from the BBC’s iconic football program. With his combination of affable humor and a deep knowledge of the game, Lineker has engaged generations of fans, offering insightful commentary on top-flight English football.
Rumors surrounding Lineker’s future with the BBC have circulated for some time. During an episode of Match of the Day in October, he even joked about leaving the broadcaster, teasingly telling viewers, “Hello. Seven games on the way and it’s my final show … before the international break.” Speculation about his future has been especially rife given his high-profile status within the BBC and his comments in recent years about the challenges and pressures of being in the public eye.
The former Leicester City, Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur striker has also been open about the occasional conflicts that come with his role. In March 2023, he was temporarily removed from the air after posting a controversial comment on social media comparing the UK government’s rhetoric on immigration policies to language used in 1930s Germany. Lineker was later reinstated after the temporary fallout sparked a show of solidarity from BBC colleagues, several of whom refused to appear on air until he was brought back. The episode brought renewed attention to Lineker’s position within the BBC and the scrutiny that comes with being one of its highest-paid stars. His current annual salary stands at £1.35 million, making him the corporation’s top-paid on-air personality for the past seven years.
Speaking at the Hay Festival in Powys in May, Lineker expressed regret over the incident, noting that it felt like a conflict between him and the BBC rather than an issue with the broader media portrayal of the situation. He suggested that it had been a challenging episode for him personally, lamenting that the BBC sometimes feels defensive in the face of external media criticism. In particular, he pointed to the Daily Mail as having distorted his initial comments, arguing that the BBC should focus on its core audience and pay less attention to media sensationalism. “I think the BBC needs to not worry as much about the Daily Mail and worry about what the people who love the BBC care about,” he said, advocating for the broadcaster to be more resilient in the face of outside criticism.
In a separate interview in August, Lineker spoke about his future on Match of the Day and reflected on the privilege he feels in having hosted the program for so many years. Acknowledging that his tenure might be nearing its end, he said, “It depends how long they want me, I suppose. I love doing it at the moment. I’ve still got another year left, at least. So we’ll have to wait and see what happens.” While the idea of leaving the show after such a long time is undoubtedly significant for Lineker, his contract with the BBC ensures that he will be involved in their World Cup coverage in 2026, providing fans with one final high-profile series with him at the helm.
Aside from his television career, Lineker has branched out successfully into the world of podcasting. His company, Goalhanger Podcasts, which he founded in 2019, has produced popular shows like The Rest is Politics, The Rest is Entertainment, The Rest is History, and The Rest is Football. The latter, which he co-hosts with Match of the Day colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, has quickly gained a strong following, and the podcast series has further broadened his reach to fans interested in long-form discussions on sports, politics, and culture.
As one of England’s greatest-ever strikers, Lineker’s on-screen charisma has its roots in his sporting career. He remains England’s leading World Cup goalscorer and was the top scorer in England’s top flight three times over his career, with three different clubs. His insights and experience on Match of the Day reflect a storied career both on the field and off, and his voice has become an intrinsic part of the UK’s football landscape.
