‘I played with Gary Lineker; ‘He left BBC Match of the Day for three reasons’ | Football | Sport

There were three reasons why Gary Lineker left BBC Match of the Day at the end of the season, according to former teammate and fellow broadcaster Alan Smith. Earlier this week the Beeb broke the bombshell news that Lineker would be leaving the popular football program next year.

Lineker, who has presented MOTD for 25 years, said it was “the right time” to change his guard at the start of a new four-year deal in Premier League highlights.

“I think with the next (significant) contract they want to do Match of the Day in a slightly different way, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm,” the 63-year-old added.

Lineker will continue BBC for next season’s FA Cup coverage and the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, before focusing on his other projects.

At Leicester City, Smith formed a lethal partnership with the English football icon, helping him score 13 goals in his first season as a professional.

The pair played together for three years before Lineker joined Everton in 1985. Smith stayed on for a further two years before moving on to Everton. Arsenal and scored 84 goals in 217 appearances for the Foxes.

The Arsenal great had his say on Lineker’s departure from Match of the Day, claiming the length of his tenure, other commitments and a potential desire to give someone else an opportunity likely contributed to it.

“He spent a lot of time doing this and thought maybe it was time to put an end to it,” Smith said. Express Sports By Ace Odds.

“There’s loads of other stuff about his podcasts and whatnot, he’ll be attending the World Cup and the FA Cup and that’s it, isn’t it? BBC.

“But it was amazing how long it lasted. Yeah, absolutely amazing. Maybe he thought, ‘I’ll give someone else a chance.'”

Discussions over Lineker’s replacement naturally flared after plans for his departure were confirmed. Mark Chapman, Alex Scott and Kelly Cates are among the current favourites.

Smith hailed the veteran broadcaster’s CV and said he would be delighted to see Match of the Day 2 host Chapman take over the role.

He added: “I think Mark Chapman is an excellent presenter. He’s working for us on Sky at the moment in the Carabao Cup and obviously he’s working on Match of the Day as well.

“And his five live shows on Saturday are great. I think he should get it. Will he get it, I mean… There are rumors in the papers today that he’s doing it, and maybe Kelly Somers, too.”

“Isn’t it kind of nice who’s taking over from Gary? Because it’s such an iconic show. I really have to congratulate him for doing it for so long.”