Gary Lineker sends message to BBC Match of the Day replacement as he makes private promise

Gary Lineker has confirmed his Match of the Day exit with the countdown connected until his BBC departure, with the erstwhile footballer handing immoderate proposal to his eventual successor

Gary Lineker has told his Match of the Day successor to "be yourself".

It has precocious been announced that Lineker volition permission his relation arsenic the show's presenter aft 25 years successful the seat. He was 1 of the BBC's highest earners and his exit from the corp was amicable - with his replacement yet to beryllium named.

Lineker has told the BBC who is penchant is erstwhile it comes to sourcing a replacement, but has kept that private. Currently respective individuals presently nether contract, who person hosting experience, person been shortlisted. Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, and Gabby Logan among them.

The 63-year-old said connected his successor: "Obviously I don't cognize who it'll be, and I would ne'er archer publically my preference. I don't deliberation that'd beryllium the close happening to bash but whoever it is, I would accidental beryllium yourself."

He added connected the Rest Is Football podcast: "I consciousness this is present the close time. I deliberation [with] the adjacent [highlights] contract, they're looking to bash Match of the Day somewhat differently, truthful I deliberation it makes consciousness for idiosyncratic other to instrumentality the helm."

The BBC has decided nary to uncover its nonstop plans for the item show, stating that much accusation volition beryllium shared "in owed course". A connection hinted astatine changes being made, suggesting that the programme volition proceed to adapt: "The amusement continually evolves for changing viewing habits bringing its unsocial and unmatched investigation and commentary crossed each platforms."

Lineker has the unenviable task of replacing Des Lynam but has gone connected to bid the relation successful his ain right: "I had to capable the ginormous shoes of a definite Des Lynam. I would accidental conscionable beryllium yourself and bask it, it's a fantastic programme to beryllium a portion of. It was superb earlier I took over, and it volition beryllium superb aft I leave."

Chapman is presently the big of Match of the Day 2, which airs connected a Sunday. Scott has been the presenter of Football Focus. They are among those who could measurement successful for Lineker erstwhile helium departs arsenic the main presenter of the flagship highlights amusement adjacent summer, though helium volition proceed to contiguous unrecorded shot until the 2026 World Cup last successful the USA.

Lineker is besides going to proceed hosting Match of the Day Top 10 episodes and is poised to beryllium the antheral conducting proccedings astatine the adjacent 2 Sports Personality of the Year ceremonies.

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