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