Gary Lineker said hosting Match Of The Day for more than two decades has been “an absolute joy and privilege”, but that it is “the right time” for him to exit and “someone else to take the helm” as the BBC looks to make changes to the programme.

Gary Lineker has said it is "the right time" for another presenter to take on hosting Match of the Day, as the BBC looks to do the football programme "slightly differently" in the future. Earlier this week, Lineker announced he will step down from the show at the end of this season after 25 years as host.

It may have been rumoured for some time, but news that Gary Lineker will be stepping down from Match of the Day in 2026 still came as a shock to fans, who have watched the presenter on the show since 1999.