Shearer breaks silence on match of the day future after lineker exit

GARY LINEKER HOSTED HIS FINAL MATCH OF THE DAY ON SUNDAY AND EMOTIONALLY SAID GOODBYE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS PROGRAMME ALONGSIDE ALAN SHEARER AND MICAH RICHARDS 12:03, 29 May 2025

Alan Shearer has confirmed that he will not depart Match of the Day despite his 'amazing friend' Gary Lineker leaving. The programme's host presented his final episode on

Sunday, having held the role for 26 years. His exit from the Premier League highlights show, which the BBC announced in November, happened amidst anti-Semitism allegations that led the

64-year-old to end his contract 14 months ahead of schedule. Lineker was due to lead the BBC Sport 's coverage of the FA Cup next season before concluding his tenure with the

corporation following the summer's World Cup. Shearer and Micah Richards were the pundits alongside Lineker for his poignant farewell. The trio, who host a podcast together, analysed

the final day of this season's Premier League before Lineker received a heartfelt send-off. Shearer, however, isn't going anywhere. Confirming his decision to stay on, the

Newcastle United legend told the Mail : "He got a really emotional send-off on Sunday and one he deserved, and he's a brilliant broadcaster, and he's a great friend of mine,

and we will all miss him. Shearer then clarified: "It's different for myself and Micah, because it's not as if we're not ever going to see him again. I mean, we've

done two recordings of our podcast as well, so we're still going to be working together." The BBC aired an emotional seven-minute montage honouring Lineker, with tributes from Arne

Slot, Paul Gascoigne, Pep Guardiola and Virgil van Dijk. Shearer joined those by expressing his thoughts: "Match of the Day is everything to him; he loves it; it means the world to

him. Article continues below "Off-air, he's very calm, very generous. You are an amazing friend." In his final sign-off on Sunday, Lineker made mention of those around him:

"Let me take the opportunity to thank all the other pundits I've had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years. You've made my job so much easier. "Also, thanks

to all those you don't see at home. The work that goes into making this iconic show is a huge team effort, from the editors to the analysis team, from the commentators to the floor

managers, from the producers to the camera operators, from the PAs to the subs. "Thank you all; you're the very best. Everyone else did all the hard work, and I got the plaudits.

"It's been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It's been utterly joyous. "I'd like to wish Gabby (Logan), Mark (Chapman), and

Kelly (Cates) all the best when they sit in the chair. The programme is in the best of hands. Article continues below "My final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching.

"Thank you for all your love and support over the years. It's been so special. "I'm sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye."