Gary Lineker to step down from Match of the Day

Gary Lineker is set to leave his role presenting Match of the Day at the end of the current Premier League season, according to BBC News.

The former England captain took over as host of the BBC’s flagship show from Des Lynam in 1999, and is set to leave the corporation after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Speculation over 63-year-old Lineker’s future had increased since an interview with BBC Breakfast in August in which he said he looked forward to “another year doing it, at least”.

Last week Lineker admitted he would “have to slow down at some point”, and intimated to Esquire magazine that he may seek to focus full-time on his successful podcast business.

Lineker said: “I could do. Whether that will be the case I don’t know. At some point, I have to slow down somewhere. I’m getting old.”

The BBC have yet to confirm the news.

Lineker scored 48 goals for England during a glittering career that saw him play for Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham.