Favourites to become new Match of the Day presenter as BBC release statement on Gary Lineker

The favourites to become new Match of the Day presenter have been revealed as the BBC release a statement on host Gary Lineker.

The 63 year old, who has been the host of the highlights show since 1999, will step down from this role at the end of the season in May 2025.

The BBC has since confirmed that he will continue to host BBC Sport’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup as well as He will also host the FA Cup coverage for 2025/2026 and various podcast shows.

The end of an era, after more than 25 years hosting Match of the Day.

Gary will continue to host the FA Cup and lead the BBC’s 2026 World Cup coverage.#MOTD #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/VGU9QIuW80

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 12, 2024

𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄: BBC considers replacing Gary Lineker with a revolving cast of MotD presenters#TelegraphFootball

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) November 12, 2024

‘A big part of my life right from the start.’@GaryLineker speaking to @BBCBreakfast, reflecting on what Match of the Day means to him. #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/vqmI0eOpdK

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 12, 2024

BBC STATEMENT:

The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup. Gary will lead the coverage of the tournament, as England once again try to land a first major trophy since 1966, the other Home Nations look to qualify and Lionel Messi aims to retain the trophy he won with Argentina.

Gary will also host BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025/26 season, 35 years on from lifting the trophy as a player.

After a quarter of a century, Gary is stepping down from hosting Match of The Day at the end of this season. He will continue with the MOTD Top Ten podcast and the BBC will also host the hugely popular The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds.

Gary Lineker says: “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, says: “Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage 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 hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football.”

With 33 million viewers last season across the Premier League and FA Cup, Match of the Day remains part of the staple diet of football fans who still get a huge buzz from hearing that iconic theme tune on a Saturday night.

The show continually evolves for changing viewing habits bringing its unique and unmatched analysis and commentary across all platforms. Future plans for Match of the Day will be announced in due course.

Favourites to become new Match of the Day presenter:

Odds provided by Ladbrokes – 12th Nov 2024
Mark Chapman – 6/4
Gabby Logan – 4/1
Kelly Cates – 5/1
Alex Scott, Eilidh Barbour – 6/1
Kelly Somers – 8/1
Laura Woods – 10/1
Dan Walker, Micah Richards, Manish Bhasin, Dan Jones – 12/1
Alan Shearer – 25/1

Here’s how fans reacted with the favourites to become new Match of the Day presenter revealed as the BBC release a statement on Gary Lineker…

@ScottsUnicorn77: Thank you for all the banter Gary, hard job taking his place.

@TomTheProducer1: Bring back @mrdanwalker, talented, knowledgeable, capable, humorous, and an all round decent chap.

@jnd_90: I haven’t watched MOTD much these past few years, too painful with EFC being dreadful, but undeniable how good Lineker has been as a host. Started out fresh and was allowed to grow into the role. PLEASE give it to Mark Chapman. Ready-made quality and knowledge replacement.

@S_BaileyITFC: End of an era and won’t be the same imo, he is Match of the Day. Feel he has been hounded out of presenting it tbh.

@felthambboy: He’s been a fantastic presenter whatever some people might say on here.

@JPrentice8: MOTD just won’t be the same any more. It’s like if they were to change the music

@CornedbeefstRed: Thank you very much to @GaryLineker for sticking around long enough to make sure Jermaine Jenas didn’t take over Match of the Day.

@NUFCMurph: Will be the death of MOTD this

@RobertJacques: Gutted – really good presenter – MOTD won’t be the same.England legend, broadcasting legend

@edwilliams88: Thoughts and prayers with the Daily Mail and their readers after this news. Time for them to find a new hate figure to go after. Who will they choose. The excitement is palpable.

@Ciaranmcquaid84: Just give the big job to Chappers

@ColinPep1: Gutted to be honest. He was the perfect replacement for Des and really grew into the role. I’d probably say he’s even better than Des was. @GaryLineker

@jaymeeteewhu98: Whether you like him or not his been the face of MOTD since I started watching football. I just beg BBC to not destroy it like you have with football focus. #MOTD

@Devon_Magpie: I for one am gutted. Have watched MOTD ever since I was a boy. Won’t be the same without Lineker. No other ex-England player with the right TV personality to replace him.

@mkasztelewicz: Thank fuck Jermaine Jenas torched his own career before this

@JordanCooper93: Sad to see Lineker go but needs to be given to Chappers 100%. He’s the only guy I want to see host it before anyone else and I think he’s the only that could keep it going. Proper nice bloke aswell deserves it more than anyone.

@AzamWHUFC: Surely Mark Chapman will take over for him. He’s one of the better presenters when it comes to it.

@MitchT1998: Incredible run from Lineker 👏👏. Not a lot of people would’ve given him a prayer replacing such a broadcast legend in Des Lynam but he’s gone in there & made it his own. Going to be very strange without him.

@ltfc_jt: such a big miss, whoever replaces him it won’t be the same. watching Lineker on MOTD is/was my childhood and now that’s over 🙁

@JackTheFact29: End of an era. He began hosting MOTD when I was aged 6 just getting into the world of Football. Seeing all these presenters step down who’ve been part of my life watching sport is such a sombre feeling 😔 All the best Gary Lineker, thank you ⚽️