Alan Shearer addresses Gary Lineker exit in unusual opening to Match of the Day
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Alan Shearer addresses Gary Lineker exit in unusual opening to Match of the Day

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Alan Shearer broke tradition as he opened Match of the Day in the first show since Gary Lineker confirmed he is to step down. Saturday night’s programme began with Shearer directly addressing the camera and saying: “All good things must come to an end.” The BBC announced last week that Lineker will leave his role as host, which he has held since 1999, at the end of the current football season. Lineker will host BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025-26 campaign and continue presenting the Match Of The Day: Top 10 podcast for BBC Sounds, which will also host The Rest Is Football podcast, produced by Lineker’s Goalhanger Podcasts, with one episode released on the platform each week. “I think the next contract they’re looking to do Match Of The Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.” Lineker has hosted Match Of The Day since 1999 and will have presented the show for more than a quarter of a century when he leaves in May 2025.

History of this topic

Kelly Cates: Replacing Gary Lineker is a self-destructive move the BBC will live to regret
3 weeks, 2 days ago
Host with the most
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Host with the most
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Fresh row at the BBC as Mark Chapman 'refuses to share Match of the Day job with female co-presenter' after Gary Lineker's decision to leave the show at the end of the season
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Who do YOU want to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day? MailOnline readers give their verdict in our poll - and there's an overwhelming favourite
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Gary Lineker breaks social media silence on shock announcement he will leave Match of the Day at the end of the season
Top News
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Dumping Gary Lineker is a self-destructive move the BBC will live to regret
1 month, 3 weeks ago
'Gary Lineker can buy his own leaving present!' BBC presenter says staff 'won't be having a whip round' in swipe at star's £1.3m salary after he was axed as host of Match of the Day
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Gary Lineker became the face of the BBC – but his exit shows everyone is replaceable
1 month, 3 weeks ago
What next for Match of the Day? How axing Gary Lineker paves way for new BBC Sport supremo Alex Kay-Jelski to cuts costs and overhaul show for 'younger audience' as Alex Scott and Gabby Logan lead rac
Top News
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Match of the Day and BBC will miss Gary Lineker’s urbane presence – the feeling is not mutual
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Gary Lineker to leave Match of the Day at the end of this season – with BBC departure date set
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Gary Lineker Match of the Day exit CONFIRMED: BBC announce host's new contract will see him step down from flagship show as it 'evolves' and saves his new boss 'millions'
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Who should replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day? Join The Independent Debate
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Revealed: Gary Lineker was 'open' to staying at Match of The Day but his BBC bosses didn't offer him a new contract
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Gary Lineker's Match of the Day axeing set to be confirmed TODAY as it emerges that BBC 'DIDN'T offer him a new contract' and business partner Alastair Campbell confirms his exit
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Gary Lineker has shaped the football conversation for 25 years but his controversies got too much for the BBC, writes IAN HERBERT
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Gary Lineker has been spotted for the first time since 'quitting Match of The Day': BBC star seen having intimate meal with family
Top News
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Revealed: The favourites to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day presenter - with England legend set to leave iconic BBC show after 26 years at the end of the season
Top News
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Gary Lineker: Key events in career of footballer and presenter
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Gary Lineker drops fresh hint over Match of the Day future
2 months ago
Alan Shearer set to sign new Match of The Day contract - hinting fellow pundit Gary Lineker could also stay on BBC programme
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Gary Lineker breaks his silence on his Match of the Day future after swirling rumours of his BBC departure
3 months ago
‘It’s my final show’: Lineker jokes on air about future on Match of the Day
3 months ago
Gary Lineker pokes fun at rumours over his Match of the Day future with cheeky opening to Saturday's show amid suggestions his time on flagship BBC programme could be ending
3 months ago
BBC stress Gary Lineker remains under contract until end of the season despite shock email suggesting Saturday will be his final Match of the Day show as host
3 months ago
Gary Lineker provides update on his Match of the Day future after 'natural successor' Jermaine Jenas was sacked by the BBC over inappropriate workplace behaviour allegations
4 months, 1 week ago
Gary Lineker opens door to Match of the Day extension after Jermaine Jenas scandal
4 months, 1 week ago
Is this the beginning of the end for Gary Lineker at the BBC? £1.35m-a-year presenter is SNUBBED for Gabby Logan to front new Champions League highlights show - with just 12 months left on his Match o
5 months, 4 weeks ago
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer double down after Harry Kane’s response to England criticism
6 months, 2 weeks ago
Ian Wright fights back tears as he signs off on final Match of the Day appearance
7 months, 2 weeks ago
Ian Wright says goodbye to Match Of The Day – and nearly reduces Lineker and Shearer to tears
7 months, 2 weeks ago
Gary Lineker responds after ex-Match of The Day host Des Lynam tells him to stick to football
1 year, 5 months ago
Gary Lineker to miss FA Cup coverage as he is ‘silenced by nasty cold’
1 year, 9 months ago
Gary Lineker news: Match of the Day star says ‘great to be here’ as he returns to BBC
1 year, 9 months ago
Gary Lineker back on air to lead BBC’s FA Cup coverage
1 year, 9 months ago
When will Gary Lineker next appear on the BBC?
1 year, 9 months ago
Lineker goes from soccer star to TV host to liberal champion
1 year, 9 months ago
Lineker goes from soccer star to TV host to liberal champion
1 year, 9 months ago
Gary Lineker to return as ‘Match of the Day’ host as BBC apologises for disruption
1 year, 9 months ago
BBC reveal Gary Lineker’s first TV appearance after tweet row
1 year, 9 months ago
BBC reinstates Lineker after Twitter row: 'difficult period...apologise for…'
1 year, 9 months ago
Gary Lineker reinstated to Match of the Day show as BBC announces social media review
1 year, 9 months ago
Gary Lineker breaks silence after BBC find agreement for Match of the Day presenter’s return
1 year, 9 months ago
Gary Lineker’s urgent talks with BBC ‘inching forward’ as schedule chaos continues
1 year, 9 months ago
BBC reverses Gary Lineker's suspension, will return as 'Match of the Day' presenter
1 year, 9 months ago
Gary Lineker privately agreed asylum policy tweet was ‘step too far’, presenter claims
1 year, 9 months ago
Who are the presenters and journalists who joined BBC boycott in solidarity with Gary Lineker?
1 year, 9 months ago
Why Lineker is barred from hosting BBC MOTD and why did fellow pundits boycott the weekend’s show
1 year, 9 months ago

Discover Related