Gary Lineker has confessed he won’t miss the midnight drives home from the Match of the Day studios as his tenure on the show draws to a close. The former Tottenham Hotspur and England striker is nearing the end of his 26-year run.
Lineker, 64, will host his final episode of Premier League highlights on the last day of the season before handing over to new presenters Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman, and Kelly Cates, who will share duties through the 2025/26 campaign. Although stepping away from the regular Saturday night slot, Lineker’s stint at the BBC isn’t completely finished yet. He’ll continue presenting live FA Cup action and the 2026 World Cup across the pond in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. During his most recent podcast with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, the former England internationals quizzed Lineker about his impending MOTD departure. It was then that he opened up about his disdain for the late-night commutes and what lies ahead for him in broadcasting.
On The Rest Is Football podcast, when told by Richards that his last show is coming up, Lineker said: “Of course I know that. Do you know who the pundits are on that show? You boys (Shearer and Richards)!
“I did my last Saturday night at the weekend, because the final day of the season is played on a Sunday. Yeah, it’s the last one. The last time I will have that journey back at midnight. I won’t miss that part of it… but I will miss you boys!”
Since taking over from Des Lynam as host in 1999, when the legendary presenter moved to ITV, Lineker has become synonymous with the BBC, carving out a broadcasting career that spans over a quarter of a century. Regarding his future involvement in football following his departure from the BBC, Lineker confessed he doesn’t foresee a return to the sport.
In response to Richards’ query about continuing in football, Lineker was quick to respond, saying: “No. I think, certainly post World Cup final next year, I don’t think you’ll see me do much television.
“I might appear on a guest show or something like that. But I don’t think, football wise, I am going to do that anymore. I just want to go and watch football and enjoy it.”
During his recent appearance on Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips, Lineker revealed his focus is now on his broadcasting venture ‘Goalhanger’, which has soared to prominence in podcast production. Lineker said: “We’ve got a podcast, a ‘Podcast empire’ we like to call it. But, I mean, it’s amazing.
“So, I’m definitely focused on that now. Unless something… I really don’t envisage me doing TV much. Maybe, you know, occasional appearances on something, but not (what he was doing before).”
In terms of watching football, Lineker insisted he will keep watching it, saying: “I love watching football and 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.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk