Lineker opened the show on Sunday night by saying: “It wasn’t meant to end this way,” then added: “But with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about about.”
Lineker, 64, had long intended Sunday to be his last Match of the Day, but he was planning to stay on to front the corporation’s live coverage of the FA Cup and 2026 World Cup.
Lineker, the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, apologised unreservedly for the post but said it was “best for all concerned” if he left completely.
The emotional farewell montage came despite calls from critics urging the BBC not to allow Lineker a “hero’s farewell”.
Gary Lineker is leaving the BBC prematurely and will not front next year’s World Cup (Photo: Darren Staples/AFP/Getty)“Huge thank you to 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, to the commentators, to the floor managers, the producers, to the camera operators, PAs and the subs. Thank you all, you’re the best.
He ended with: “Time to say goodbye. Goodbye.”
After heading up the BBC sports show since 1999, the former England striker, 64, confirmed earlier in the week that he would be leaving the corporation after Sunday’s episode, following controversy over a social media post.
He is the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts which makes The Rest Is History series and its spin-offs about politics, football, entertainment and money.
In February of this year he was also among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter calling on the BBC to rebroadcast a documentary, Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone, to BBC iPlayer.
Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman will replace the Leicester-born star and share the presenting role on Match Of The Day from the next Premier League season.
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