Gary Lineker to be replaced on Match of the Day after fresh hint on future

Gary Lineker has accepted that he will have to be replaced on Match of the Day at some point, as he continues to weigh up his soon-to-be ending contract with the BBC and his other ventures.

The former England and Tottenham Hotspur goalscorer has been a key feature on our television screens for the past 25 years, presenting the Premier League highlights on Match of the Day plus live coverage of other international and club competitions.

However, his time as the BBC's highest-paid on-air talent may be coming to an end in its 26th year as his contract, which will expire in 2025, remains unresolved.

Latest word on the matter arrives from Lineker himself, who turning 64 at the end of the month, knows that he will have to hand over the reins to someone else.

Aside from his work with the BBC he also oversees the Goalhanger Podcasts group, and as part of that presents The Rest is Football podcast with fellow pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. He could see becoming his sole focus, as was explained in an interview with Esquire magazine.

"I could do (run that business alone). Whether that will be the case I don’t know. At some point, I have to slow down somewhere… I’m getting old," Lineker admitted. That quote was published in the magazine's winter edition, though the actual interview itself was conducted in August.

If he were to leave Match of the Day, Mark Chapman has been tipped to step into the role from next season onwards. The 51-year-old is also a household name amongst Premier League supporters having been with the BBC since 2009, and has permanently presented Match of the Day 2 since 2013.

The broadcaster has also hosted BBC coverage of NFL and rugby league in the past, and has also been Sky Sports' Carabao Cup presenter since 2022. His BBC contract is rumoured to be worth £264,999 per year, compared to former footballer Lineker's £1.3m.

"I still tune in regularly [to Match of the Day]. It is still a very good programme, full stop. I know there is a lot of speculation over Gary at the moment. Would it surprise me if he left at the end of the season? Possibly no," former MotD pundit Mark Lawrenson recently told Metro.co.uk.

"But he has earned the right to make his own decision, there is no doubt there whatever. And in Chappers, there is a ready-made replacement if it goes that way. It will be up to Gary."