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 offered 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 reside FA Cup matches on the BBC throughout 2025-26, earlier than ending his function with the company on the conclusion of the World Cup .
Gary Lineker on the top of an period
Gary Lineker (Picture credit score: BBC)
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.
Gary Lineker (Picture credit score: Alamy)
“I don’t really feel any completely different in the meanwhile, 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 gained’t miss doing it as a result of that’s the individual I’m. I’ve by no means missed soccer, regardless that I beloved it.
“I performed golf for years, I used to be hooked on it, then I finished enjoying and I don’t miss that, regardless that I beloved that too. “I’m very a lot wanting ahead to getting weekends off for the primary time in my grownup life. I’ll most likely go to the odd sport, probably in London as a result of that’s the place I reside.
“Then I don’t know, I’d go away for the weekend, how about that! I can catch the solar someplace, or perhaps 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 wish to go to.
“Match of the Day might be advantageous, it’s been going for 60 years. TV is altering, however so long as they’ll maintain the rights, they’ll be alright.”
A altering panorama
Gary Lineker (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The TV panorama is completely different now to the way it was again in 1999. “Every thing is shifting in direction of streaming,” he says.
“It’s exceptional how Match of the Day has saved its viewers. For those who actually wish to, you possibly can see the targets in different methods, but it surely’s not affected issues.
“For those who add collectively the iPlayer and the individuals who watch it reside, we’re nonetheless getting round 4 million viewers, then most likely 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 individuals’s lives – half of the nation nonetheless doesn’t have Sky, TNT or Amazon. I’m thrilled to go away it in good well being.”
