Gary Lineker says ‘that is the correct time’ to go away Match of the Day

Gary Lineker says internet hosting Match Of The Day for greater than twenty years has been “an absolute pleasure and privilege”, however that it’s “the correct time” for him to exit and “another person to take the helm” of the BBC present.

Former England striker Lineker has hosted Match Of The Day since 1999 and can have introduced the present for greater than 1 / 4 of a century when he leaves in Could 2025. He’ll proceed to current protection of the FA Cup subsequent season and the World Cup in 2026.

“It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to current such an iconic present for the BBC, however all issues have to come back to an finish,” Lineker mentioned on his podcast, The Relaxation Is Soccer.

“It got here at some extent the place actually the BBC and Match Of The Day, they’ve bought the rights for one more three years, the cycle begins from subsequent season so it felt like if I simply do yet another yr it will be a bit bizarre.”

The 63-year-old former England striker later added: “I bowed out in my soccer profession after I felt it was the correct time. I really feel that is now the correct time.

“I believe the subsequent contract they’re trying to do Match Of The Day barely in another way, so I believe it is sensible for another person to take the helm.”

Mark Chapman, Alex Scott and Kelly Somers have all been linked with changing Lineker.

“I look again and it’s been a tremendous expertise, and I really feel extremely lucky,” he mentioned, earlier than confirming he’ll nonetheless watch Match Of The Day.

“I didn’t assume it will be fairly the large deal that it was – it’s only a man that has carried out a TV present for a very long time, it’s nothing greater than,” he mentioned.