Gary Lineker will leave Match of the Day at the end of the 2024/25 season, according to reports, with Gabby Logan being tipped as one of the joint-favourites to replace him.
The 63-year-old, who succeeded Des Lynam as the host of Match of the Day in 1999, is set to step away from hosting duties with the BBC, which involves ending his tenure with MOTD.
It is said Lineker will remain a part of the BBC's FA Cup coverage for the 2025/26 campaign but is 'set to leave the BBC completely' after the 2026 World Cup.
A BBC source told The Sun newspaper: “Gary absolutely adores Match of the Day, and has been incredibly happy at the BBC. But he has been at the helm since 1999, and by the time he leaves, he will have been at the Beeb for 30 years."
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They continued: “He wants to leave on a high - and if England win the World Cup, it doesn’t get much higher.
“It’s one of the industry’s worst kept secrets that the new BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski and Gary aren’t exactly close. The former is very keen to make his mark by bringing in new faces, and slashing wage bills."
The source added: “Negotiations have been ongoing for the past six weeks and finally a deal has been struck that everyone is pleased with.
“Gary is incredibly popular with both players and viewers, and news of his departure will send shockwaves around the Corporation. In other words, no-one is immune from change.
“Gary will be 65 when he leaves; frankly, he isn’t getting younger. and just feels the time is right to focus solely on his mogul interests outside the BBC - namely his Goalhanger podcasting business which is becoming huge Stateside.
“BBC execs, meanwhile, will be giving Match of the Day a reboot to keep it fresh in the wake of such a huge departure.”
At this stage, it is unclear who will take over from Lineker but Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan are currently the joint-favourites with William Hill at 5/2.
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards, a regular pundit on the show, is priced up at 4/1, while popular Football Focus host Alex Scott is currently at 5/1 in the standings.
Dion Dublin [6/1], Clare Balding [7/1] and Jason Mohammad [10/1] are also in the mixer, while another Match of the Day regular, Alan Shearer, is further down the pecking order at 14/1.
William Hill spokesman Lee Phelps gave an insight into the current situation.
“There is plenty of speculation regarding Gary Lineker’s future as the host of Match of the Day and we have two contenders neck and neck to replace him," he told The Sun.
“Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan look to be the standout candidates, tied at 5/2 to take on the presenting duties, but at this stage there are plenty of other names in the conversation too.
“Former players Micah Richards (4/1), Alex Scott (5/1) and Dion Dublin (6/1) are all in the mix, while experienced presenters Clare Balding (7/1) and Jason Mohammad (10/1) cannot be ruled out.
“Martin Keown and David Moyes are among the long shots for one of the most prestigious roles on UK TV.”
Speaking in an interview with Esquire, Lineker hinted about leaving the much-loved show.
“I could do. Whether that will be the case I don’t know," he said. "At some point, I have to slow down somewhere… I’m getting old."
Lineker's contract will expire next year and no agreement on a renewal has been reached.
Topics: Gary Lineker, Match Of The Day
Jack Kenmare