Match of the Day to have a new host

Broadcaster Gary Lineker is to step down as host of flagship football programme Match of the Day at the end of this season, BBC News understands.

It is expected to be announced officially on Tuesday by the BBC.

The Sun, who first reported the story, also said the presenter would leave the BBC after leading coverage of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Mark Chapman, Manish Bhasin, Jason Mohammad, Alex Scott and Gabby Logan are amongst the names rumoured to be in contention to replace him.

My view is this is the right decision for all parties.

A big factor may have been that Lineker wasn't happy that he wasn't able to share his personal political views on social media due to the new rules the BBC brought in for it's presenters - I have always said that if he wants to do that, then he should leave the BBC.

I expect they also wanted him to lower his salary, he is being paid a very high amount at the moment.

He has a successful podcast so can still talk about football on there.

Still under contract for the 2026 World Cup but then it seems he will leave the BBC - something I agree with that.

I have thought that for several years the show has needed a new host. There are far better hosts out there and they don't necessarily have to be a former professional football.

I believe if they have any sense, they will give the job to Mark Chapman.

Brilliant on Radio 5 Live, Match of the Day 2 on Sundays and the Carabao Cup for Sky.

Lineker's representative has been approached for comment. The BBC press office declined to comment.

Lineker, whose contract was coming to an end, entered negotiations with the BBC's new head of sport in October.

BBC News understands that Lineker was open to staying on at Match of the Day, but the BBC did not offer him a new contract for the show.

The 63-year-old has hosted Match of the Day since 1999. He will have held the post for 26 years when he leaves at the end of the Premier League season in May 2025.

Lineker told Esquire magazine in an interview published earlier this month that he accepted he will "have to slow down at some point".

Lineker's representative has been approached for comment. The BBC press office declined to comment.

Lineker, whose contract was coming to an end, entered negotiations with the BBC's new head of sport in October.

BBC News understands that Lineker was open to staying on at Match of the Day, but the BBC did not offer him a new contract for the show.

The 63-year-old has hosted Match of the Day since 1999. He will have held the post for 26 years when he leaves at the end of the Premier League season in May 2025.

Lineker told Esquire magazine in an interview published earlier this month that he accepted he will "have to slow down at some point".

In an ideal world, I would pick Mark Chapman to host MOTD and Jason Mohammad to host MOTD2.

Chapman leads the Radio 5 Live coverage very well and has done a great job on MOTD2 the last few years. Hosts the Carabao Cup on Sky too. Is well liked by the pundits.

Mohammad leads Final Score well and also hosts a Radio Wales show. Has done well when filling in for Chapman on MOTD2.

But I expect they will go for Scott or Logan to present one of them - probably MOTD2 if Chapman takes over the main show.

Lineker would have never made it to MOTD if Ian Rush was not Welsh.

The BBC are a political animal and I gave up watching them after their stance for BLM. I've never fotgotten their bias reporting when Bournemouth decided to stop doing the knee and the BBC decided to interview the only player from the club who disagreed with that decision. They gave that player airtime and that interviewed just showed how bias the BBC was.

Fially I hope they don't give the job to Jason "I'm a Red lover" Mohammad. That would be rubbing salt into the wound.

Lineker would have never made it to MOTD if Ian Rush was not Welsh.

The BBC are a political animal and I gave up watching them after their stance for BLM. I've never fotgotten their bias reporting when Bournemouth decided to stop doing the knee and the BBC decided to interview the only player from the club who disagreed with that decision. They gave that player airtime and that interviewed just showed how bias the BBC was.

Fially I hope they don't give the job to Jason "I'm a Red lover" Mohammad. That would be rubbing salt into the wound.

Well said.

It wont be who is best it will be who ticks the box the best for the BBC lefty views. Football will not even come into it, dont be surprised if its Eddie Izzard

It will be a woman,probably English and my guess is Ellen White.
I would have gone for Joey Barton

They can give it to anyone, i don't watch the shit. Have not for a few years really since them squeeky voices on commentary started. Back then i would hit the mute button and watch but after a few weeks of it i lost total interest along with the Var nonsense, diving, acting school premier league.

In order to show their gender equality credentials the BBC will go for a woman whatever the qualities of the candidates. Fortunately in Alex Scott they have someone who will do a decent job.

It wont be who is best it will be who ticks the box the best for the BBC lefty views. Football will not even come into it, dont be surprised if its Eddie Izzard

I laughed but with the BBC Izzard does tick a lot of boxes.

Justin Welby is looking for a new job.

Clearly has the morals that the BBC look for in a presenter.

Its an outdated model that needs a rethink.

I watch it on Sunday mornings in bed on I-player and have little interest in what the panelists say. Ex footballers from a bygone era talking about tactics, let's be honest this is scripted by someone else, 5 or 6 simultaneous games is too much for these guys who were just good at football.

May as well get a decent presenter and an analyst for each game if we are to dissect what x or y were trying to do. Absolutely no need to ay Shearer £600k a year

Its an outdated model that needs a rethink.

I watch it on Sunday mornings in bed on I-player and have little interest in what the panelists say. Ex footballers from a bygone era talking about tactics, let's be honest this is scripted by someone else, 5 or 6 simultaneous games is too much for these guys who were just good at football.

May as well get a decent presenter and an analyst for each game if we are to dissect what x or y were trying to do. Absolutely no need to ay Shearer £600k a year

Glad Shearer stayed at the BBC at the time and not gave Mr Tan the U-Turn and stuck with Malky Mackay

Justin Welby is looking for a new job.

Clearly has the morals that the BBC look for in a presenter.

My boy had a good idea..... Jeff Stelling. He was iconic for Sky Sports, but MOTD is an iconic show and I'd say they go well.

As for panellists. Not a lot I'd change but I'd tempt both Micah Richards and Lee Hendrie to spend more time at the Beeb.