"After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD."
BBC confirmed that Gary Lineker would be leaving Match of the Day after 26 years of hosting the iconic football highlights show.
He has been hosting the programme since taking over from Des Lynam in 1999.
But at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season, Lineker will be stepping down from the role.
Lineker has signed an 18-month deal to continue his association with the BBC – with a substantial pay cut – that means he will still continue to present their FA Cup coverage and the 2026 World Cup.
But that won’t involve Match of the Day as Lineker confirmed he would carry on with the BBC in a new role.
In a brief statement, he said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”
BBC’s Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski thanked Lineker for his loyal service over two decades, adding:
“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.”
Attention has now turned over to who might replace him.
The likes of Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan have emerged as frontrunners to become the new presenter.
Another possibility could be Manish Bhasin, who has experience in presenting sports programmes.
After graduating in 1997, Bhasin spent five years at BBC Radio Leicester as a sports presenter/commentator.
In 2001, he joined ITV’s Central News East and presented in-depth coverage of the region’s essential sport.
Manish Bhasin joined the BBC in 2004, being a part of Football Focus and the following season, he became the show’s main presenter.
When it comes to football, Bhasin presented The Football League Show at the start of the 2009/10 season when the BBC acquired the rights to the Football League.
Manish Bhasin presented World Cup group stage matches shown on BBC Three in 2014.
He did the same for Euro 2016 on BBC Four.
Bhasin has Match of the Day experience, having stepped in for Mark Chapman to host Match of the Day 2 on BBC One on Sundays.
He also broadcasts for Premier League Productions as the face of the Premier League’s global coverage to over 700 million viewers.
Since the 2016/17 season, Manish began hosting Matchday Live on Fridays and Saturdays.
Although the likes of Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan are frontrunners for Match of the Day host, Manish Bhasin is an established presenter who could take over from Gary Lineker.
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