Gary Lineker to leave Match of the Day at end of season

Gary Lineker will leave Match of the Day at end of season, according to the Sun.

He will quit the BBC entity after fronting their World Cup coverage in 2026.

A BBC source told the 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.

“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.

“Negotiations have been ongoing for the past six weeks and finally a deal has been struck that everyone is pleased with.”

Following his retirement from football, Lineker developed a career in the media, initially on the BBC for Radio 5 Live.

In 1999, he replaced Des Lynam as the BBC’s front man for football coverage, including Match of the Day.

A spokesperson for the BBC declined to comment.