Gary Lineker will host his ultimate Match of the Day on Could 25 – and he admits he doesn’t know the way he’ll really feel on the finish of his final present.
Lineker has introduced the flagship highlights present since 1999, making him the longest-serving host within the historical past of Match of the Day.
He’ll depart on the finish of his contract as soon as this season finishes, though he’ll proceed to current dwell FA Cup matches on the BBC throughout 2025-26, earlier than ending his position with the company on the conclusion of the World Cup.
Gary Lineker on the top of an period
In an unique interview with FourFourTwo, Lineker was requested about his ideas as his ultimate Match of the Day attracts ever nearer.
Since November’s announcement that Lineker he’d be leaving the present on the finish of the season, the weeks have been ticking down.
“I don’t really feel any completely different in the mean time, but it surely’s a little bit of a countdown now,” he says. How will he really feel throughout his ultimate present? “I genuinely don’t know,” he admits. “I received’t miss doing it as a result of that’s the individual I’m. I’ve by no means missed soccer, regardless that I cherished it.
“I performed golf for years, I used to be hooked on it, then I ended taking part in and I don’t miss that, regardless that I cherished that too. “I’m very a lot trying ahead to getting weekends off for the primary time in my grownup life. I’ll in all probability go to the odd recreation, seemingly in London as a result of that’s the place I dwell.
“Then I don’t know, I would go away for the weekend, how about that! I can catch the solar someplace, or possibly go to the Cotswolds, Somerset or Cornwall!
“I’m an actual foodie, I really like cooking and consuming at nice eating places – there are many eating places on this nation that I need to go to.
“Match of the Day shall be positive, it’s been going for 60 years. TV is altering, however so long as they’ll preserve the rights, they’ll be alright.”
A altering panorama
The TV panorama is completely different now to the way it was again in 1999. “Every little thing is shifting in direction of streaming,” he says.
“It’s outstanding how Match of the Day has saved its viewers. Should you actually need to, you possibly can see the objectives in different methods, but it surely’s not affected issues.
“Should you add collectively the iPlayer and the individuals who watch it dwell, we’re nonetheless getting round 4 million viewers, then in all probability one other million on the repeat.
“Match of the Day just about tops the iPlayer charts each week. It’s an integral a part of folks’s lives – half of the nation nonetheless doesn’t have Sky, TNT or Amazon. I’m thrilled to depart it in good well being.”
