Gary Lineker will host his final Match of the Day on May 25 and he admits he doesnt know how hell feel at the end of his very last show.
Lineker has presented the flagship highlights show since 1999, making him the longest-serving host in the history of Match of the Day.
He will depart at the end of his contract once this season finishes, although he will continue to present live FA Cup matches on the BBC during 2025-26, before ending his role with the corporation at the conclusion of the World Cup.
Gary Lineker on the end of an era
In an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo, Lineker was asked about his thoughts as his final Match of the Day draws ever closer.
Since Novembers announcement that Lineker hed be leaving the show at the end of the season, the weeks have been ticking down.
I dont feel any different at the moment, but its a bit of a countdown now, he says. How will he feel during his final show? I genuinely dont know, he admits. I wont miss doing it because thats the person I am. Ive never missed football, even though I loved it.
I played golf for years, I was addicted to it, then I stopped playing and I dont miss that, even though I loved that too. Im very much looking forward to getting weekends off for the first time in my adult life. Ill probably go to the odd game, likely in London because thats where I live.
Then I dont know, I might go away for the weekend, how about that! I can catch the sun somewhere, or maybe visit the Cotswolds, Somerset or Cornwall!
Im a real foodie, I love cooking and eating at great restaurants there are plenty of restaurants in this country that I want to go to.
Match of the Day will be fine, its been going for 60 years. TV is changing, but as long as they can keep the rights, theyll be alright.
A changing landscape
The TV landscape is different now to how it was back in 1999. Everything is shifting towards streaming, he says.
Its remarkable how Match of the Day has kept its audience. If you really want to, you can see the goals in other ways, but its not affected things.
If you add together the iPlayer and the people who watch it live, were still getting around four million viewers, then probably another million on the repeat.
Match of the Day pretty much tops the iPlayer charts every week. Its an integral part of peoples lives half of the country still doesnt have Sky, TNT or Amazon. Im thrilled to leave it in good health.
TOPICS
