Gary Lineker to Miss Danny Murphy Most as He Prepares to Quit Match of the Day
In a recent interview with FourFourTwo, Gary Lineker revealed that he will miss Danny Murphy the most when he steps down as the host of Match of the Day at the end of the season. Lineker, 64, has been hosting the flagship BBC show for 26 years, having replaced former anchor Des Lynam in 1999. According to The Daily Mail, Lineker will remain with the broadcasting giant to host FA Cup matches next campaign and will also front their 2026 World Cup coverage before retiring.
Lineker worked alongside a number of pundits on Match of the Day, but he has admitted that he will especially miss the company of Danny Murphy. “There’s no point saying Alan [Shearer] or Micah [Richards], as I’ll still be working with them,” Lineker said. “I don’t like any of the others!” He then added, “That’s a joke… I’ll miss Danny Murphy, a really underrated pundit, analytically good, and always fun to be around.” As The Daily Mail reports, Murphy has been a regular on the show since August 2013, making over 170 guest appearances.
Murphy, who played for Liverpool between 1997 and 2004 and earned nine senior caps for England, is also a Mail Sport columnist and works with BBC 5Live and talkSPORT. Lineker praised Murphy, describing him as “really underrated” and good company. The two have worked together on numerous occasions, including during an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford this season.
Lineker will be replaced by three hosts, it was confirmed in January. Sky Sports’ Kelly Cates and BBC regulars Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will all share the role and rotate in and out of the prestigious hot seat. Giving his verdict on the decision, Lineker told FourFourTwo, “That’s probably down to the fact it’s a massive commitment. Those three have all got families, and if you’re saying someone is going to do it for the next ten or 20 years, then your weekends are gone.”
As reported by The Daily Mail, Lineker has known the new hosts for years, describing them as “top presenters.” He added, “I take it as a compliment that they’ve named three, but I suspect it’s not due to that. I haven’t seen them yet to speak to them, but I will do. They’ll be fine and they’ll do a great job.”
Lineker’s decision to leave Match of the Day was announced earlier this year, with the 64-year-old stating that he will continue to work with the BBC on other projects. The new hosts will begin their stint on the show at the start of next season, with Lineker’s final episode airing at the end of the current campaign.
The news of Lineker’s departure from Match of the Day was met with an outpouring of support from fans and colleagues alike. As The Daily Mail notes, Lineker has become an iconic figure in British sports broadcasting, and his influence on the show will be difficult to replace. With his departure, the show will undergo a significant change, but with the new hosts at the helm, fans will be eager to see how the show evolves in the future.
Lineker’s career with the BBC spans over two decades, and his contributions to the world of sports broadcasting cannot be overstated. As reported by The Daily Mail, Lineker will continue to be involved with the BBC, hosting FA Cup matches and the 2026 World Cup coverage. His legacy on Match of the Day will be remembered for years to come, and his praise for Danny Murphy is a testament to the strong relationships he has built with his colleagues during his time on the show.
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