Update: Gary Lineker’s TV presenting plans after Match of the Day role ends confirmed by football legend News

Gary Lineker has been the face of BBC’s Match of the Day for more than two decades, but the former England striker’s future in the media is set to become quite different

Gary Lineker believes he will do little television work once he leaves Match of the Day. The esteemed Tottenham Hotspur and England legend is set to call it time on his presenting of Premier League highlights when the 2024/25 campaign comes to an end.

Lineker will continue to take the reins for the BBC’s live FA Cup broadcasts next season and the 2026 World Cup coverage across Mexico, Canada, and the USA next summer before saying farewell to the broadcasting giant. Taking over from Des Lynam in 1999, the celebrated footballer turned broadcaster has been the face of Match of the Day for more than two-and-a-half decades.

Nevertheless, the Leicester-born ex-player has conceded that he finds more enjoyment in tuning into football and sports from his sofa rather than from within a TV studio. Lineker also co-founded Goalhanger, a burgeoning media company known for its successful podcasts.

He now hosts ‘The Rest is Football podcast’ predominantly with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, but his company also oversees other audio ventures including ‘The Rest is History’ and ‘Empire’. He anticipates focusing the majority of his energy on his media firm instead of television.

Discussing his future media pursuits on ‘Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips’ podcast, when queried about what he will do after Match of the Day, Lineker said: “Podcasts really.

“We’ve got a podcast, a ‘podcast empire’ we like to call it. But, I mean, it’s amazing. So, I’m definitely focussed on that now.

“Unless something (comes up) I really don’t envisage me doing TV much. Maybe, you know, occasional appearances on something, but not (what he was doing before).”

When questioned about his continued interest in sports despite no longer being professionally involved, the former England striker, who netted 48 goals in 80 appearances for the Three Lions, responded: “Oh yeah, I love watching football.

“I find it much nicer watching football at home in the studio. I love watching it. I love the sport, I love watching lots of sports.

“I watch a lot of snooker and I watch a lot of golf. This time of year is the best period for sport: the finale of the football season, the start of cricket, the Snooker World Championship and the Masters.”

Lineker’s role on Match of the Day will be filled by a trio of presenters who will rotate hosting duties. BBC television and radio host Mark Chapman, BBC presenter and former gymnast Gabby Logan, and Sky Sports television presenter Kelly Cates are all set to step into Lineker’s shoes.

Explaining his decision to step down during an episode of the Rest is Football podcast back in November, Lineker said: “It felt like the right time. It came at a point really where 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.

“So I think to get a different presenter in place, I think would be probably wise on not just for me, but certainly for the BBC as well. But I really wanted to finish on a major tournament, do the FA Cup as well. So you’ve not quite got rid of me just yet.”