BBC confirms Gary Lineker will step down as Match Of The Day presenter
The 63-yr-former will proceed to host protection of the FA Cup in 2025/26 and the World Cup in 2026, the broadcaster supplied.
Lineker will proceed with the MOTD High Ten podcast while his The Relaxation Is Soccer podcast, which facets BBC pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, will now be hosted on BBC Sounds.
The weak England footballer said: “I’m joyful to proceed my lengthy affiliation with BBC Sport and would would prefer to thank all those that made this occur.”
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, said: “Gary is a global-class presenter, and we’re joyful that he’ll lead our protection of the following World Cup and proceed to steer our dwell protection of the FA Cup.
“After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for all the pieces he has performed for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week.
“He’ll be hugely overlooked on the show nonetheless we’re so joyful he’s staying with the BBC to fresh dwell football.”
Analysis: Will the following technology know him fully as a podcasting tycoon?
Lineker has hosted the Premier League highlights show since 1999, after his predecessor Des Lynam moved to ITV.
He’s the co-founding father of Goalhanger Podcasts, which produces accepted exhibits such as The Relaxation Is Historical past, The Relaxation Is Politics and The Relaxation Is Entertainment, as well to his personal football podcast.
The firm, founded in 2014, claims to be the UK’s ideal self reliant podcast firm and said in September its podcasts had been downloaded extra than 380 million times to this point this yr.
Read extra from Sky News:
Russian hypersonic missile warship conducts drills in English Channel
Trump location to appoint ‘hawkish’ secretary of notify – reports
‘Game-changer’ stop-smoking pill to be supplied on NHS
Lineker has been the BBC’s very top-paid superstar in most up to the moment years for his work on exhibits at the side of Match Of The Day and Sports Character Of The Year, as well to protection of main tournaments at the side of World Cups and European Championships.
He obtained about £1.35m right during the 2023-24 financial yr, in response to the BBC’s most most up to the moment figures.
It is unclear who will steal over from Lineker on Match Of The Day.
Used Tottenham Hotspur footballer Jermaine Jenas had at one point been regarded as to be his natural successor nonetheless he became sacked from the BBC in August over claims of corrupt behaviour.
Lineker loved a a hit occupation as a striker, winning 80 caps for England, sooner than getting into broadcasting.