Gary Lineker decision provides Alan Shearer opportunity as big BBC MOTD call made

England football hero Paul Gascoigne has backed a fellow Three Lions great and Newcastle United legend to take over from Gary Lineker as host of Match of the Day. The BBC today confirmed the news Lineker will be stepping down from the corperation's flagship football programme after 26 years at the helm.

Lineker will continue to work for the BBC and present live FA Cup coverage and will be the lead host for the 2026 World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico, but will not be seen anymore after this season on Saturday evenings presenting the Premier League highlights programme.

"The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup," the BBC said, while confirming his Match of the Day tenure was ending.

Lineker said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”

The exit of the former England striker has sparked debate as to who will follow him in the MOTD hot seat. Current MOTD2 host Mark Chapman is the bookmakers' favourite to be given the job, but Gazza reckons Lineker's MOTD colleague Alan Shearer, or former England manager Gareth Southgate should replace him.

Speaking to Sportscasting.com, Gazza said; "With Lineker quitting Match of the Day, I wonder if Shearer is going to take over, or Southgate because he's been doing a little bit of commentary.

"I reckon Shearer will take over because he loves a bit of money. He's so tight he only cries from one eye! So for me it’s between Shearer and Southgate”