BBC Sport Pays Tribute to Lineker on His Final Match of the Day Episode
The BBC has paid tribute to Gary Lineker, its long-standing presenter of Match of the Day, on his final episode in the presenting chair. Lineker, a former Everton and Tottenham Hotspur striker, has been at the helm of the programme for many years, and his departure marks the end of an era.
According to the BBC, Lineker’s final episode on Sunday saw him interview Liverpool manager Arne Slot as they collected the Premier League trophy. Slot paid tribute to Lineker, saying: “Thank you for being such a great presenter of a BBC show that I watched many times when I lived in Holland, and now still.” This sentiment was echoed by many in the football world, who have praised Lineker for his dedication and enthusiasm for the programme.
The BBC reports that the show began with a montage of Lineker’s goals and later looked back on highlights of his time at the helm of Match of the Day. This included him famously presenting a segment while wearing only his Leicester City boxer shorts, as he had promised, after his boyhood team won the Premier League in 2016. This iconic moment is just one of many that have made Lineker a household name.
Lineker’s longstanding sidekicks, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, also paid tribute to him, introducing a montage that included testimonies from the likes of Alan Hansen, Ian Wright, and Paul Gascoigne, as well as the late Johan Cruyff, singer Andrea Bocelli, and Lineker’s sons. The tributes were heartfelt and demonstrated the impact that Lineker has had on the football world.
As reported by the BBC, many prominent figures in football paid tribute to Lineker, including Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who said: “You won’t believe it but you will be missed.” Shearer added: “You’ve been great to me and you’ve been unbelievable to Match of the Day.” These tributes demonstrate the high esteem in which Lineker is held by his peers.
In January, it was announced that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan would jointly take over Match of the Day presenting responsibilities from the start of the 2025-26 season. Lineker wished them well, saying: “I’d like to wish Gabby, Mark, and Kelly all the very best when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the best of hands.” This demonstrates Lineker’s confidence in the future of the programme and his trust in his successors.
The BBC has a long history of broadcasting high-quality sports coverage, and Match of the Day is one of its flagship programmes. Lineker’s departure marks the end of an era, but the programme will continue to be a staple of British football broadcasting. As the BBC reports, the programme will continue to be presented by Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan, ensuring that the programme continues to thrive.
The tribute to Lineker on his final episode of Match of the Day was a fitting end to his time as presenter. The BBC has reported on Lineker’s career and his impact on the programme, and it is clear that he will be missed. However, the programme will continue to be a major part of British football broadcasting, and Lineker’s legacy will live on.
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