Gary Lineker will step down as host of Match Of The Day on the finish of the season, the BBC has confirmed.
The 63-year-old will proceed to host protection of the FA Cup in 2025/26 and the World Cup in 2026, the broadcaster introduced.
Lineker will proceed with the MOTD High Ten podcast whereas his The Relaxation Is Soccer podcast, which options BBC pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, will now be hosted on BBC Sounds.
The previous England footballer mentioned: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”
Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport, mentioned: “Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted 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 everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week.
“He’ll be massively missed on the present however we’re so completely satisfied he’s staying with the BBC to current dwell soccer.”
Evaluation: MOTD with out Lineker is the top of an period – will the following era know him solely as a podcasting mogul?
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Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and Lineker, who current the podcast The Relaxation Is Soccer. Pic: AP
Lineker is the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, which produces in style reveals reminiscent of The Relaxation Is Historical past, The Relaxation Is Politics and The Relaxation Is Leisure, in addition to his personal soccer podcast.
The corporate, based in 2014, claims to be the UK’s largest unbiased podcast agency and mentioned in September its podcasts had been downloaded greater than 380 million occasions to date this 12 months.
Lineker has been the BBC’s highest-paid star in recent times for his work on reveals together with Match Of The Day and Sports activities Character Of The 12 months, in addition to protection of main tournaments together with World Cups and European Championships.
He obtained round £1.35m in the course of the 2023-24 monetary 12 months, in response to the BBC’s most up-to-date figures.
It’s unclear who will take over from Lineker on Match Of The Day.
Former Tottenham Hotspur footballer Jermaine Jenas was thought of to be his pure successor however he was sacked from the BBC in August over claims of inappropriate behaviour.
Lineker loved a profitable profession as a striker, profitable 80 caps for England, earlier than transferring into broadcasting.
