Gary Lineker breaks silence over Match of the Day exit as Roman Kemp lined-up as replacement

Gary Lineker has opened up about his exit from Match of the Day.

Lineker said hosting Match of the Day for more than two decades has been "an absolute joy and privilege", but that it is "the right time" for him to exit and "someone else to take the helm" as the BBC look to make changes to the programme. The sports broadcaster will step down as host of the football highlights programme at the end of the season but will continue to present coverage of the FA Cup in 2025/26 and the World Cup in 2026, the BBC previously confirmed.

"It has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end," Lineker said on his podcast, The Rest Is Football. "It came at a point where really the BBC and Match Of The Day, they've got the rights for another three years, the cycle starts from next season so it felt like if I just do one more year it would be a bit weird."

The 63-year-old former England striker later added: "I bowed out in my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel this is now the right time. 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."

Image: PA Wire/PA Images) PA Wire/PA Images)

Lineker refused to speculate who would be taking his place, as rumours grew around Mark Chapman, the regular Match Of The Day 2 presenter, Football Focus host Alex Scott, and BBC sports coverage presenter Gabby Logan. "Obviously I don't know who it'll be, and I would never tell publicly my preference, I don’t think that’d be the right thing to do – but whoever it is, I would say be yourself," he said.

"I had to fill the ginormous shoes of certain Des Lynam. I would say just be yourself and enjoy it, it's a wonderful programme to be a part of. It was brilliant before I took over, and it will be brilliant after I leave." 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.

"I look back and it’s been an amazing experience, and I feel incredibly fortunate," he said, before confirming he will still watch Match Of The Day. Lineker said it was nice to be leaving the show in "really good shape", describing the viewing figures as "still really competitive on a Saturday night." "I bowed out in my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel this is now the right time. It's the flagship BBC Sports programme, hopefully, it always will be."

Image: PA) PA)

Lineker will continue with the MOTD Top Ten podcast alongside his The Rest Is Football podcast, which also features BBC pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Richards described it as a "sad day" to learn of Lineker leaving Match of the Day. "You've been in the game for 25 years at the highest level, people don’t do that, and you've done that for 25 years," he said on the podcast.

"It is a sad day, not just for us, but for people who have watched you over the years, because you are a great of broadcasting. Yes, you're not leaving yet, but in terms of Match Of The Day, I just want to thank you so much for everything you've done, not just for me, but for everyone associated and who has watched you over the years."

Shearer described Lineker as an "unbelievable player, playing at the highest level for years and years and years" and an "unbelievable presenter for years and years and years". The One Show presenter Roman Kemp is said to be tipped for a "digital role" on the programme following Lineker's exit.

Roman is no stranger to football, having been a regular face at Soccer Aid over the years. A source told The Sun: "Match of the Day is moving with the times and next season there will be more of a focus on digital highlights. Alex [Kay-Jelski] has been speaking with Roman about possibly coming on board and how it could work.

"Roman has a massive following online and is hugely popular with a younger audience thanks to his years hosting the Breakfast Show on Capital FM. He is also a huge Arsenal fan and knows what he is talking about when it comes to football. "It is very much in the early stages but Match of the Day is coming into a new digital age and Alex would love to have Roman front and centre."

The BBC said future plans for Match Of The Day would be "announced in due course".

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