Gary Lineker 'sensed' the BBC wanted him to leave Match of the Day as England icon lifts lid on 'unusual' FA Cup & World Cup agreement

Former England striker Lineker first took over the reins of Match of the Day in 1999, becoming one of the most familiar faces in British football coverage. But while he will continue his relationship with the BBC beyond this season - fronting next season’s FA Cup coverage and staying on board for the 2026 World Cup - he will no longer be the face of the broadcaster’s flagship Saturday night football program.

The BBC has already named Lineker’s successors, with Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan set to step into his shoes from next season. Their arrival will signal a new era for the beloved football highlights show, one that many fans may find difficult to imagine without Lineker’s presence.

In an interview with the BBC’s Amol Rajan, Lineker said: "It's time. I've done it for a long time, it's been brilliant. I always wanted one more contract, and I was umm-ing and ahh-ing about whether to do three years [more]. In the end, I think there was a feeling that, because it was a new rights period, it was a chance to change the programme."

Lineker acknowledged that the network seemed to favour bringing in new faces to refresh the Match of the Day format, and while the decision to step down this year wasn’t entirely his, he accepted the outcome.

"I think it was their preference that I didn't do Match of the Day for one more year, so they could bring in new people," he said. "So it's slightly unusual that I would do the FA Cup and the World Cup, but to be honest, it's a scenario that suits me perfectly."

As one of the most recognisable sports broadcasters in the UK, Lineker’s future is sure to draw plenty of attention. Whether he opts to pursue other television opportunities, focuses more on his podcast The Rest Is Football, or chooses to slow things down, his presence will undoubtedly be missed on Saturday nights.